Camden Haven Gift Cards are now available to use in local stores.

The Chamber of Commerce unveiled the gift card strategy at the Kew Corner Store on Friday, July 31. The EFTPOS based gift cards are available to spend at participating businesses.

CHCC events officer Holly Lambert said the idea was originally created by a group called Why Leave Town in Narrabri and has been repurposed on the Mid North Coast.

"It's hard to put into hours the amount of work involved in this. I've been working on this campaign since February and we have had close to 70 businesses sign up to this initiative," she said.

"Customers only need to visit a participating store, choose what amount they want to add to the card and then it can be spent across any participating store. They are activated on purchase.

"It works just like a normal gift card and it keeps the spend within the local community. It helps support local jobs and for the purchaser it provides the gift of choice within the stores.

"It's a really good idea for visiting family as well who can be given the card and spend it in the area rather than an iTunes or Coles gift card."

Mrs Lambert said there would also be upcoming giveaways of the cards as Christmas approaches.

Kew Corner Store is one of the participating 'Load-up Stores' which can provide cards with amounts between $20 to $1000. Card funds can be redeemed up to three years from their purchase.

Kew Corner Store owner Staffan Andler said the region will prosper with the introduction of the gift cards.

"I think it's a fantastic initiative and the work the chamber has put into it is fantastic," he said.

"Anything that will improve spending in the local community has to be beneficial. We know the money will be spent here which is important, especially in these hard times.

"We are just lucky to be able to support these kinds of campaigns."

The cards can also be utilised as a petty cash card for businesses, can be used as Christmas gifts or bonuses for employees or given as prizes in local competitions.

The campaign is sponsored by Kew Corner Store, Laurieton Residential Resort and Laurieton United Services Club.

For more information, contact Holly at events@camdenhavenchamber.org

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