Businesses are working to put Ilkley on the map as the first town in the UK to adopt a consumer loyalty scheme.

Following a meeting to discuss how a new scheme could encourage support for independent businesses, several have now signed up to participate in Phlok.

The scheme rewards consumers with Phlok points when they buy from participating businesses, which are then spent within the local area.

Gillian Murgatroyd, of handcraft emporium I Love Vera, said: “It is an exciting opportunity to become involved with Phlok and an ingenious way of keeping our lovely town a fun and vibrant place to shop. Building and maintaining a local audience is very important to us as a new business in Ilkley.”

Others signing up include a women’s fashion boutique, a children’s shoe shop, a hairdressers, and bar and function room The Yard.

General manager at The Yard, Ali Allawa, said: “We are excited to be involved with such an innovative scheme as Phlok and are confident that this will help in our common goal of getting people spending locally.”

Phlok was introduced to Ilkley by Tina Boden, co-founder of independent community interest company Enterprise Rockers, which is dedicated to making life better for micro businesses.

She is working with Phlok to bring the scheme to more towns across Yorkshire before spreading UK-wide.

Phlok Founder and chief executive officer Paul Graham said: “It is clear that Ilkley is a town serious about building on the great work they are already doing to encourage people to ‘shop local’, and because Phlok doesn’t rely on the heavy discounting that other high street regeneration schemes do, we can help consumers rediscover great value and choice on their doorstep whilst helping businesses protect their margins”.