New club offers discounts at dozens of Hackney businesses

A new membership club encouraging shoppers and diners to support local and independent businesses has just launched in Hackney.

The Local Buyers Club, which costs just £12 per year to join, includes a discount card which is accepted at dozens of businesses in Stoke Newington, Dalston, Clapton and Islington and it’s expanding throughout North London.

Among the businesses offering discounts of 10% or more are Andi's, The Prince pub, The Red Lion, Stoke Newington Tea House, Green Room Café, N16 Flowers, El Olivo, Il Bacio, Drive Now, Wolf, Rudie’s, Clapton Table, Earlybird Cards, Clapton Craft, Clissold House, Stokey Bears, Push Cycles, Lele's The Rio Cinema, L'Epicerie@56, Bournes Fish, Off Broadway, Climpson and Son Cafe and many more.

Basil Fansa, who co-founded the club, said: “We want to help preserve the niche, independent vibe Stoke Newington is famous for. We’ll be helping to highlight some of the area’s best businesses, while saving locals money. And we'll be supporting projects which enhance Stokey’s sense of community and help those in need.”

Launching a discount card that’s offered to everyone is the next natural step for Basil and Jenna Fansa, who have been selling the popular FamilyCard via the StokeyParents website for the past few years.

Heidi Early, who runs Earlybird Cards on Stoke Newington Church Street, welcomed the new club, adding: “It's so lovely to have an organisation which does so much for the local community and really backs small businesses.

"The FamilyCard, which was a predecessor of the Local Buyers Club, has really helped us to develop our personal relationships with our customers. It sparks that recognition and creates a talking point. Our customers love getting a good deal and that in turn rewards us by creating loyalty.

"What we love about it - and think our customers do too - is that there's no fuss with the card, it gives you a good deal with no catches."

Cards are available to purchase via www.localbuyersclub.com