Totnes pound
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The Totnes pound is an alternative local currency,[1] intended to support the local economy of Totnes, a town in Devon, England.
The initiative is part of the Transition Towns concept, of which Totnes is a pioneer. According to the Transition Town Totnes website this means that it is "a community in a process of imagining and creating a future that addresses the twin challenges of diminishing oil and gas supplies and climate change, and creates the kind of community that we would all want to be part of".[2]
Origins
The Totnes Pound was launched as an initiative of Transition Town Totnes Economics and Livelihoods group in March 2007.[3] The group argues that "Economic localisation is considered to be a key aspect of the transition process, and local currency systems provide the opportunity to strengthen the local economy whilst preventing money from leaking out".[3]
Intended benefits
The anticipated benefits of the Totnes Pound[3] are:
- To build resilience in the local economy by keeping money circulating in the community and building new relationships
- To get people thinking and talking about how they spend their money
- To encourage more local trade and thus reduce food and trade miles
- To encourage tourists to use local businesses
Value and usage
A Totnes Pound is equal to one pound sterling and is backed by sterling held in a bank account.
In December 2008 a Totnes Pound was sold on eBay for £13.02.[citation needed]
As at September 2008, about 70 businesses in Totnes were accepting the Totnes Pound.[4]
Description of notes
The Totnes Pound notes are printed by local firm Colourworks on plasticised paper. The printer was paid partially in the new currency.[5]
See also
- Lewes Pound
- Stroud Pound
- "The Wörgl Experiment" of using stamp scrip as a local currency
- Chiemgauer in Germany
References
- ↑ "The town already has its own currency, the Totnes pound" in "Devon town bids for eco status (retrieved 20 June 2008)
- ↑ Transition Town Totnes, April 2008
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Totnes Pound Project, April 2008
- ↑ Totnes Pound Project - How It Works
- ↑ The Plymouth Herald - Printer rolling in bank notes
External links
- www.totnespound.org
- "They don't just shop local in Totnes - they have their very own currency", The Independent, 1 May 2008 (accessed 20 June 2008)]