SHOPPERS are used to picking up points using loyalty cards at the supermarket.

But now bargain-hunters will be able to take advantage of a similar scheme at Bolton Market.

It is thought to be the UK’s first market-based loyalty smartcard, and customers can get up to 10 per cent off their shopping.

Cllr Akthar Zaman, Bolton Council’s executive member for environmental services, said: “This initiative continues to demonstrate the council’s commitment to Bolton Market.”

Shoppers can get the sQuid cards for £2 at the Customer Information Office at the market.

Once the card is registered online, shoppers will have £2 added to their account.

Some of the market’s main traders have joined and the council hopes to get all traders on board.

HJ Grundys, Karl’s Butchers, The Salmon Kings, Premier Poultry, and Bates Brothers are among the first to sign up.

Tony Frame, from The Salmon Kings, said: “It’s a good idea. It saves people money across a range of items and makes the market special.”

Each time a shopper makes a purchase at a registered trader, they will get back 10 per cent of that purchase as loyalty points. Once they have built up £5 worth of points, they can spend their points at the market.

Jeff Clarke, National Association of British Market Authorities president, attended yesterday’s launch and BBC Fusion chef Aazam Ahmad gave a cookery demonstration.