http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/2868875/we-love-kendal-street-shop-local-campaign-offers-1000-cash-and-gold-coast-holiday-packages/

 We love Kendal Street: Shop local campaign offers $1000 cash and Gold Coast holiday packages

Cowra Guardian editor Janine Finlayson is excited to be promoting Kendal Street retailers.

Cowra Guardian editor Janine Finlayson is excited to be promoting Kendal Street retailers.
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Not one holiday, but two - then throw in $1,000 cash to spend.

The Cowra Guardian has leapt into a campaign to support Kendal Street retailers affected by current roadworks in the CBD and is calling on the community to respond in kind.

It's been a whirlwind ride to organise, but Cowra Guardian editor Janine Finlayson said there was no way she could not respond, after she simply asked the Cowra community two weeks ago for some ideas to help Kendal Street retailers promote themselves.

"It was just a simple, throw-away line one night on Facebook and I had no idea the community would respond like it did - I was so proud of Cowra," said Ms Finlayson.

"I was overwhelmed by the generosity of those who put up their hand to offer prizes in some sort of Shop Local in Kendal Street promotion.

"But equally overwhelming was the realisation of just how many businesses there are in the street, the very short time frame we have, and how to treat everyone equally and fairly - from small business to large department stores.

"I was very conscious of that equal treatment. I wanted everyone in the area to have an opportunity to be involved and make it as community friendly as we possibly could.

"I didn't want to have to ask small business owners to put their hand out when the whole point of my asking the question was to put money in to their hands.

"It was a leap of faith but we hope it shows the community how we support it, how we support our small business operators and importantly, that we all need to love Kendal Street and keep shopping there during the roadworks."
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What Ms Finlayson thinks is really exciting is the last minute addition of $1,000 cash.

"We thought we were being crazy offering not one but two Gold Coast holidays accommodation packages ... then, we secured $1,000 to add to the prize pool; this will be spilt evenly between the two packages.

"But how exciting to win that cash - you could maybe even go and spend it again in Kendal Street, hint hint."

The competition was rushed into last Friday's Guardian and Ms Finlayson said she already had comments during the day.

"But we've never given away two holidays before, so we really want to explain to people how it works.

"One competition is purely to encourage people to shop in Kendal Street.

"To be in the draw for our accommodation plus $500 cash package, all you have to do is put a copy of your Kendal Street business receipt with a coupon you will find in each edition of the Cowra Guardian in an envelope - naturally with your contact details - and drop it into our office at 100 Darling Street.

"There is no minimum spend. The more you shop, the more receipts you have, the more entries you will have in the draw. The coupon will run in each paper up until the roadworks conclude and we will even do 'flash' promos online and on our Facebook, so keep looking there too - you never know when you may see extra coupons pop up for free. It's important to remember they won't just be in the paper.

"And that's shop at any business in the street, as per our geographical boundaries - from Cowra Motorcycles to Australiana Corner.

"The second package is also aimed at supporting retailers, but more directly. It is for the actual small business owners themselves who want to take the next step of maximizing their business promotion and partner with us, advertising their business during the roadworks period.

"We're sure they will want a holiday after all this is over. Also, to further support these retailers, we think they will love flash promo ideas too where they could give out our coupons too for the shopping competition, as an extra incentive to encourage customers."

To keep reminding the community to 'love' Kendal Street, advertisements with details will feature in every edition, plus they are also on the newspaper's Facebook and twitter pages regarding the competition.

The competition will continue until Kendal Street roadworks are completed.

"We will keep in close contact with council as they progress to make sure we know exactly when all this will be over so we can advise the community the comp is closing well in advance."