Is the Lewes Pound on its way?

6:59pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

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Lewes is bidding to introduce its own currency.

People in the town are hoping to introduce a complementary currency for use in shops around the area.

They say it will improve community spirit, encourage people to buy locally and even help combat climate change by cutting down on emissions.

The idea has been drawn up by Transition Town Lewes (TTL), which hopes to launch the scheme in the autumn.

Adrienne Campbell is a member of the group brought together to oversee the creation of the new currency.

She said: "We see it very much as a pilot scheme but hopefully it could have a big future. People who choose to use the currency make a commitment to buy local first.

"It is a way of educating people about the need to relocalise our economy."

TTL meets regularly to discuss the plans and look at similar schemes which have been trialled elsewhere.

One was launched last year in Totnes, Devon, and has proved a success.

The notes, using 75% recycled paper, are not legal currency. Instead, they work on the same principle as book tokens.

It is based on a scheme in the Southern Berkshire region of Massachusetts, in the US.

There the alternative currency, Berkshares, can be swapped for dollars in banks at a 10% discount. Adrienne said: "In the current economic climate schemes like this are very important.

"It is not that Lewes is facing more economic difficulty than anywhere else, but more that there are plenty of people in the town who understand the need for transition.

"If this works we'll see less produce leaving Lewes and less coming in. That cuts down on emissions and builds a resilient and abundant local economy.

"We are aiming to have it up and running by the autumn."

There are five provisional names for the currency, one of which is the Lewes Pound.

The idea has been welcomed by businesses in the town. Fiona Kay, owner of Cheese Please in High Street, said: "There is a high percentage of independent retailers in Lewes and they should be supported.

"However, I sell imported produce as well as local cheeses so any scheme would need to be fair and properly thought through."

TTL has launched a string of initiatives, including school workshops, a carsharing club and the Lewes community shopping bag made from Fairtrade cotton.

What do you think the currency should be called? Tell us below.