Brixton to get its own currency. Reserve your Brixton Pounds now!

[bi0boy]

It seems to have worked well in Lewes, some national papers have reported it being more successful than anticipated:

http://www.thelewespound.org/

...mind you they are a bit weird in Lewes.

 

[King of Prussia]

Will I be able to pay my council tax with them?

 

[Crispy]

no.
and they are a bit weird in lewes. they're also a self-contained town with more permenent residents than brixton. a much better place to try secondary currency

 

[tufty79]

well, if brixton wholefoods will take them i'm happy.

 

[nick h.]

They're zero risk for consumers and shops because they'll be able to exchange them for real money whenever they like. They're not currency really, just vouchers.

 

[innit]

Looking at that list I would say that if it works in Lewes, it'll be partly because half the pubs are on board.

 

[brix]

I like the way you've really contributed to the debate with your first post. Good work.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

well i've signed up for £50 of brixton pounds, fuck it, it's not gonna be a success if locals like us dont sign up.

the idea is to get the currency circulating locally - if some middle class sainsbury fan happens to get some brixton pounds in her change when she buys her paper from the tube station, then maybe she'll check out the market or the fish stall for the first time in her life. That's the idea, bring more people in and get them knowledgeable about the stuff sold by small local businesses, rather than relying on the supermarkets.

put your money where yer mouth is, innit.

 

[Planty]

I'm looking forward to the challenge. All too easy to use the big shops, eh?

Where do we sign up then?

 

[brix]

I'm looking forward to the challenge. All too easy to use the big shops, eh?

Where do we sign up then?

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cHhMSjdkUlA3a2ZucVhmZS1JRFdmVEE6MA.

 

[King of Prussia]

They're zero risk for consumers and shops because they'll be able to exchange them for real money whenever they like. They're not currency really, just vouchers.

Then why bother? Why not just stick to real money?

It's like when my Aunt gives me book tokens at Christmas. It's nice but real money would be better.

 

[brix]

Then why bother? Why not just stick to real money?

It's like when my Aunt gives me book tokens at Christmas. It's nice but real money would be better.

My, you're a little ray of sunshine aren't you?

From the Brixton Pound website (http://brixtonpound.wordpress.com/):

Why use it?
The B£ will make your money go further:
It will stay in Brixton and circulate, increasing local trade and community connections – instead of leaking out of the area like money spent in chain stores.
Traders may choose to give customers special offers for using the money – like a loyalty card for Brixton.
The B£ will build the local economy:
Supports independent shops and local jobs that are under threat from the recession and larger chains.
Maintains the diversity and uniqueness of Brixton’s town centre.
The B£ is a secure and socially responsible way of spending money:
The notes are printed on watermarked paper by specialist secure printers.
The currency’s sterling backing is held by Lambeth Savings and Credit Union (LSCU), who provide access to low interest loans for the local community. The B£ supports LSCU as a form of banking that is non profit making and an alternative to the global credit crisis.

 

[King of Prussia]

My, you're a little ray of sunshine aren't you?

From the Brixton Pound website (http://brixtonpound.wordpress.com/):

Why use it?
The B£ will make your money go further:
It will stay in Brixton and circulate, increasing local trade and community connections – instead of leaking out of the area like money spent in chain stores.
Traders may choose to give customers special offers for using the money – like a loyalty card for Brixton.
The B£ will build the local economy:
Supports independent shops and local jobs that are under threat from the recession and larger chains.
Maintains the diversity and uniqueness of Brixton’s town centre.
The B£ is a secure and socially responsible way of spending money:
The notes are printed on watermarked paper by specialist secure printers.
The currency’s sterling backing is held by Lambeth Savings and Credit Union (LSCU), who provide access to low interest loans for the local community. The B£ supports LSCU as a form of banking that is non profit making and an alternative to the global credit crisis.

So instead of spending my hard earned income in the place where I get the best value for money, I should spend it in second rate businesses which aren't otherwise good enough to survive.

I'd rather support good businesses than bad, if it's all the same to you.

 

[brix]

So instead of spending my hard earned income in the place where I get the best value for money, I should spend it in second rate businesses which aren't otherwise good enough to survive.

I'd rather support good businesses than bad, if it's all the same to you.

That's fine by me. You're no great loss