THE highstreet of the future can be found in Ulverston after traders go on board with an innovative app loyalty scheme.

Shoppers in town will now be able to earn loyalty points at their favourite cafes or get money off clothes after the LoyalFree scheme was launched.

Earlier this year the Ulverston Business Improvement District (BID) hinted it was working to bring a loyalty scheme to incentivise shopping in the town centre.

The app has been hailed as a "dynamic" step forward for shopping experience in the town. Michelle Scrogham, owner of Pure and retail representative from the BID, said: "It was such a dynamic app and it works on so many different levels. We can use it as a loyalty scheme but it also has the benefit of offering one-off discounts."

The app is free to download for Apple and Android phones and features offers for a wide range of town centre stores. An app format, rather than a traditional loyalty card was chosen by the Ulverston BID as it could showcase offers from traditional shops, but also non-retail businesses.

Loyalty points can be collected from shops including Beerwolf and the Hot Mango Cafe, but offer's such as a free valuation from Ralph Spours Estate Agent can also be claimed.

Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of the LoyalFree app, said Ulverston was an ideal town to expand into.

She said: "We've set up many partnerships with BIDs in Loughborough, Leicester and Southampton.

"For us Ulverston is an ideal town to do business in. The app works really well with independent shops. Something we really care about is encouraging people to spend locally in town.

"The response of traders has been really good and to see the variety of shops there are, there is so much going here and a lot of passion in this town."

Justin Wales, BID project officer added: "This partnership gives the Ulverston BID the opportunity to support increasing footfall and encouraging customers to shop local. The app gives businesses an all-in-one digital platform to advertise their offers."

The app is now available to download, but will be officially launched at Another Fine Fest on June 16.