KIDS' CLUB HITS DOUBLE CENTURY

PRPlus Media has helped Merlin’s Walk Shopping Centre in Carmarthen set up a Mini Merlins Club for youngsters up to the age of 11 and membership has rocketed to 200 in only three months.

Launched during the schools’ spring half-term in May more and more youngsters have got on board and signed up for membership, reaping the benefits of newsletters, goodie bags and special offers from shops in the shopping centre.

“It’s exceeded all our expectations," said Merlin’s Walk centre manager John Nash.

“The response has been fantastic. We thought it would be a good idea and encourage youngsters and their parents to visit the centre, but we didn’t expect it to be this popular.”

The brains behind the club were PRPlus Media’s Pauline Bucknall with the help of Merlin’s Walk  operations manager Claire Kirkham, who is taking care of all the administratioin, such as registration and sending out regular emails to members.

Youngsters must have their parents’ permission but can register on-line. As a free goody bag and a regular newsletter they receive a membership card, notice of events and activities, exclusive shop offers, entry into a monthly birthday draw and a photo taken with Santa at Christmas.

Claire said: “It’s keeping us busy, but in a good way. We boosted membership again during Carmarthen's Merlin Festival and we’ve now topped 200. The children seem to love it.”

Pauline said: “We thought it would catch on but didn’t realise it would grow so quickly. The youngsters have really taken it on board and the shop offers and competitions have caught their attention.”

Unisex hairdresser Regis and Animal are the first two stores to offer special offers to MMC members.

Youngsters just have to produce their membership card in the shops to take them up.