moneymakers

While we were away our local town launched its own currency - the Lewes pound. This currency is bought and spent locally to benefit the local economy and can be used in any shops that carry the Lewes pound sign, which is most of the independent shops in the town, including all the traders at the monthly farmer's market, the fabulous herbal dispensary and eco store, Barefoot Herbs, and organic cotton clothing pioneers Gossypium. Within a few days almost all the 10,000 notes printed have sold out and local brewery Harveys have created a special brew to celebrate, called appropriately Quids In. Organised by a team from the local Transition Town group, the Lewes Pound is expected to have far reaching benefits; including economic, social and environmental. In supporting local businesses and goods we can start to reduce the need for transport and minimise our carbon footprint. Socially this new currency is expected to increase customer loyalty, encourage stronger links between customer and shopkeeper and support people looking for new ways to make a sustainable living. Elsewhere in the UK, the Totnes pound is now in its third phase of development and indeed Rob Hopkins, who launched the new currency in Devon, was also responsible for guiding the Lewes currency into being, alongside the New Economics Foundation.