Bristol gets it's own money

6th February 2012, 14:54

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It's a scheme that has never been done on this scale before and other cities are watching closely.

This May, Bristol will have a new and exciting currency to use - and they want YOU to design it.

It's called the Bristol Pound and it's the idea of a group of business people in the city, who are now looking for people to create the artwork for the 1, 5, 10 and 20-pound notes.  Images should "capture something of the city's character".

Its' purpose is to strengthen the local economy by giving a boost to independent locally based businesses. Therefore it can't be spent in any big brand stores - just the small local traders.

Antonia Bowen Jones, owner of The Arts House Cafe in central Bristol, said: ''Times are tough for small traders, but we know our customers want lively high streets - not just empty shops.''

Using the Bristol Pound will increases the likelihood that money spent in Bristol stays in Bristol, 'retaining and multiplying the benefit of every pound spent for ordinary people and businesses'.

Bristol won't be the first city to have their own money; Brixton, Totnes and Stroud are just a few examples.

BUT where the Bristol Pound differs is that it's bigger.

The team behind it predict that potentially a million or more people could be involved. Furthermore, Bristol will be using an innovative new development of high speed but low cost mobile phone payment technology.

Find out more about the Bristol Pound here