Following a successful pilot in Royal Leamington Spa back in 2019, residents of Warwick district will be able to take a step in the right direction in the New Year with the launch of the expanded Choose How You Move in Warwick District programme, in partnership with BetterPoints and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

Starting in January 2021, the initiative incentivises residents to get active and choose a sustainable means of travel when visiting and supporting the District’s town centres.

In doing so participants will earn ‘BetterPoints’ which can be converted to high street vouchers to redeem in favourite big name and independent shops, or donated to a range of charities. Users of the BetterPoints app will also benefit from a boost to their health and fitness by monitoring their levels of physical activity through the app. And best of all it’s completely free to join and participate in the programme.

Choose How You Move in Warwick District is being funded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Warwick District Council in support of Warwick District’s hosting of the Birmingham 2022 Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls and Cycling Road Race events. The initiative complement’s the District Council’s aims to encourage active communities, improve air quality and support town centres and the local economy.

The scheme launches at a particularly important time for businesses after such a difficult year, and is being supported by BID Leamington, Warwick Chamber of Trade and Kenilworth Chamber of Trade. Local businesses are encouraged to find out more about the free to join scheme and sign up to support it.

Councillor Alan Rhead, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “I am very pleased to see that we are able to bring this scheme back in partnership with BetterPoints, at an apt time of year when people are consciously thinking about the active, healthy choices they can make during the year ahead.

“Expanding the scheme across the whole of the District means that everyone can benefit from the environmental and health benefits that this initiative provides, in addition to supporting all of our town centre businesses.

“Actively encouraging and rewarding more sustainable forms of transport plays a part in helping us make the district carbon neutral by 2030.”

Councillor Richard Hales, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Business, added: “This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to get involved and encourage customers, old and new, to visit them after what has been a difficult year for many of them.

“I would urge as many businesses as possible to register with the scheme, and provide bespoke offers and incentives that will help encourage active travel and support the recovery of our high streets.”

Nick Abell, chair of the CWLEP, said: “This is a win-win on many levels and highlights the wider benefits of Leamington Spa hosting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“This scheme will give a much-needed boost to shops of all sizes in towns throughout the Warwick District to help the local economy in its recovery from Covid-19 and will reduce carbon emissions since more people will be using sustainable transport.” 

Local resident Dan, who previously won the monthly ‘Ditch the Car Star’ award, commented: “Joining BetterPoints made me think more about not using the car as much. It made me far more active and I lost nearly a stone over the trial period.”

Further information including details on how and where to download the app.