Nearly 40 retailers in Rushden are giving their customers the chance to be entered into a prize draw for major prizes every time they spend £5 in the stores between now and the draw on Friday, November 28.

First prize is £500 of Rushden shop vouchers, second prize is £250 of Rushden vouchers, third prize is £100 of Wills department store vouchers and fourth prize is £100 of Peter Crisp department store vouchers.

Each of the participating stores is also offering their own prizes.

Rushden Chamber of Trade chairman John Wills, who owns Wills, said: "There's so much doom and gloom in the national newspapers that we are in serious danger of talking ourselves into a very bad recession, but things aren't as bad as people think.

"We have nearly 40 independent shops in Rushden participating in this scheme which shows our town is not like other bland High Streets across the country which all have the same shops.

"Our shops are run by enthusiastic people who need the support of the public.
"The more people shop in Rushden over the next few days, the more chance they will have to win these fantastic prizes.

"We hope this will help Rushden to have a really good Christmas and boost Christmas trade.

"All towns, not just Rushden, are under threat from the big supermarkets and the out-of-town shopping centres and we hope this shows that our nation of shopkeepers – and their fighting spirit – is still alive."

Shops taking part in the giveaway include food shops, butchers, department stores and music shops.

Rob Bray, a partner at Rushden Music which is involved in the scheme, said: "It would be nice if this encourages people to shop in their independent shops and smaller businesses rather than just going to the supermarkets.

"I think people already know what Rushden has to offer and hope that this will make them want to support their shopkeepers who are working so hard."

The winners of the four major prizes will receive them from Rushden mayor Barbara Jenney in High Street at about 4.30pm on November 30 during the Christmas lights switch-on.