'It encourages trading locally'
MARTIN Hunt, 56, who has run Joe's Bakery in Gloucester Road for the past 21 years, has decided to sign up to the scheme.
He said: "The main thing is that it encourages people to trade locally and for consumers and traders to support each other because the money stays in the area instead of disappearing to the Bahamas or somewhere.
"Yes, it will mean a bit of extra effort by those who use the currency but anything that is worthwhile always means doing a bit more.
"I would say that people in this area are very community-minded so I would like to think that it will catch on.
"I don't really see two different kinds of currency as a problem.
"We will be able to use the Bristol Pounds to buy goods ourselves or keep for exchange in the shop or bank in the same way that we do with sterling.
"It seems as though the scheme has been well thought out and they really have tried to think of everything.
"I think the fact that it is backed by the Bristol Credit Union, which is a proper bank, gives the scheme the element of trust and credibility it needs."
 |
|||
| Related content |
|||
|
4 Comments
by clv101
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:30PM
“Pogo_T_Clown, there's no 'force' involved. No retailer is forced to accept as payment, no shopper is forced to accept as change. Have a look at the Bristol Pound website to see how it works.”
by SpinyHedgehog
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:56PM
“I'm a regular at Joe's, and I won't be accepting Bristol pounds in my change unless he accepts my Horfield pounds, which are now drying over the stove...”
by lolly60
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:30AM
“No it wont make people trade locally if anything it will stop people buying from these sort of shops if they have the new currency.”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:15AM
“"encourages people to trade locally and for consumers and traders to support each other"
Encourages? The new currency will -force- people to trade locally, even if that doesn't suit their needs. If you want me to come to your shop and buy your carrots, using a stick will not work. It tends to make me angry, resentful and contrary.
I know it's petty but I relish being able to buy my pickle wherever I want and am willing to buy it elsewhere just to make the point.”