Created on 09/09/21
What does the LoyalFree app do?
LoyalFree is a multi award winning place app, designed to boost footfall and sales in town and city centres. App users can save money when they shop local and discover exclusive deals, exciting local events and interactive trails all on their smartphone!
What is a trail on the LoyalFree app?
The LoyalFree app tours & trails feature works by grouping together businesses to make life easier for the app user. For example, a trail could see a group of businesses combined into one easy-to-access place which customers can use to complete their Mother’s Day shopping or discover a Gluten Free trail that promises to help those with dietary requirements dine out safely.
Harrogate Lego Trail
A series of Harrogate landmarks, replicated in Lego bricks, starred in a new town centre trail for families to follow in summer 2021. Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) and LoyalFree worked together to create a fun and family friendly experience that could easily be followed by locals and visitors.
The LoyalFree app was launched in Harrogate in April this year and over 200 businesses so far have benefited from being promoted on the place promotion app. The LoyalFree app has been funded by Harrogate BID to promote business offers, competitions, tourism information and digital trails. The app now looks to help people experience places in new interactive ways.
The interactive digital trail featured 10 mini models located across the town including Harrogate Town mascot, Harry Gator; Bettys Harrogate café; The Turkish Baths; The Great Yorkshire Showground’s main ring; and Hogwarts School from the Harry Potter books.
App users were encouraged to scan the QR code at each location on the trail to be entered into a prize draw to win one of 4 £50 Harrogate Gift Cards. Harrogate BID also offered the first 500 app users to complete the trail with a small lego prize from Toyland.
The results:
The trail was viewed a huge 4,134 times!
Was started by 755 people
This led to an incredible 5,584 scans in the three weeks it was live
On average, app users scanning on the trail visited 9 model locations, demonstrating the success of the initiative to encourage the public to explore the town.
Why was this so successful?
This trail was the perfect free, fun activity for families over the summer holidays. Running for three weeks, it allowed households to complete the trail in their own time or make a full day of it. Paired with brilliant press and marketing around the town, the trail managed to attract 1,000s of people to discover more of Harrogate.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager said “Using the LoyalFree App for Harrogate BID’s inaugural Lego Trail was so easy to set up, particular to our details and flexible to adaptations throughout. The Trail participants found it a perfect mix of an in-person and interactive experience and our BID members had the benefits of the many people completing the trail also then being aware of the many dedicated Harrogate deals on LoyalFree too.’’
The QR code posters were eye-catching, making the trail locations easily recognisable and attractive to passers-by. Simple instructions accompanied the QR code, making it easy for app users to download and use the award winning app and get entered into a prize draw.
The competition elements were a huge incentive for app users to engage with the trail. There were 4 chances to win a local gift card and it was super simple – 1 scan = 1 competition entry. The instant reward of receiving a lego toy upon completion also encouraged participants to visit all locations on the trail.
A great success, the trail is the first of many interactive trails which will come to the town. Currently, local app users can also enjoy a variety of trails on the app including ‘Dog Friendly’, ‘The Gin Trail’ and ‘The Heart of Harrogate Town Walk’.
If you’re interested in using the app in the town then download the app here: www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or by searching for ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Android app stores.
If you’d like to know more about how an app could support your area then please email [email protected] to request more information.