Information for Businesses

The First Stop Local Shop Campaign offers a variety of schemes to assist Forest of Dean businesses. Here is an overview of what you can find on this site - full details of each scheme can be found by clicking on the links to the left of the page.

Forest Rewards card

The Forest Rewards Card is a free tool you can use to grow your customer base. It is a loyalty scheme with thousands of members and hundreds of participating businesses

Join this scheme to help keep trade local, attract more customers and grow your business. Click on the link on the left for more information.

Forest Gift Vouchers

This is an easy to run and no-cost scheme which guarantees customer spend in the Forest of Dean. One of the main benefits of the Gift Voucher scheme is the promotion we do on your behalf.

Forest Shopping Guide

A comprehensive online Shopping Guide for the Forest of Dean. Shoppers can use this site to find your business, make an enquiry, find you on a map and even recommend you to a friend

You can update your listing yourself and it's completely free too.

Please call us on 01594 812642

Business Training and Support

We can signpost training and support from a wide range of providers, many of whom offer subsidised or free courses.

Electronic Newsletter

The new electronic newsletter from the Council's Economic Development team allows greater crossover and networking between businesses regardless of size and sector and includes news and information relevant to the Forest business owner.

Shop Front Grants

As an incentive to improve the appearance of our towns, we offer up to 50% grant aid for suitable works on your shop frontage. The grant currently extends to businesses in Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney & Newent – with a maximum contribution of £5,000 per property.

About First Shop Local Shop

Find out about the background and aims of the First Stop Local Shop campaign.

We are happy to help with any queries you may have, so do not hesitate to contact us on retail.support@fdean.gov.uk  or by telephoning 01594 812642