Albany businesses encouraged to sign up to Local Advantage Great Southern to encourage shoppers to buy local

The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on local businesses to sign up to an online service launching in the region that will provide discounts for shopping locally.

All businesses in Albany can now sign up to be part of Local Advantage Great Southern by uploading an offer or discount to the Local Advantage website.

The Local Advantage app is already in operation in the South West region, offering discounts to local restaurants, shops and other businesses.

There are more than 3300 small businesses operating in Albany who are being encouraged to upload offers to the program at no charge.

Customers will be able to sign up to Local Advantage Great Southern for an annual subscription fee of $54.99.

The initiative has launched as a partnership between the ACCI and City of Albany, as part of the City’s commitment to the Small Business Friendly Local Government Charter signed last year by the Council.

City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said he encouraged all local businesses to sign up for the program.

“To demonstrate the City’s endorsement, when the app is launched in a couple of months, the City will be providing a number of complimentary annual subscriptions to City of Albany residents who hold an active concession card on a first-come, first-served basis,” Mr Wellington said.

ACCI chief executive Lisa Smith said the program was a win-win for local businesses and customers.

“This initiative has already proven to be successful across the South West, with the communities there supporting local first,” she said.

“Delivering this platform to put our Albany businesses in the spotlight and to be supported by our local community can only be good for our local economy, particularly after the last couple of years and the rise in the cost of living.”

The ACCI is holding sessions to help businesses register for Local Advantage at their office from 4-6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 26.

The program is expected to launch to the public in the second half of this year.

Businesses can register at bit.ly/3LCXzPq.