Traders jump the gun on euro

Lampeter is twinned with a French town near Paris

Businesses at a mid Wales town will jump the euro gun by dealing in the European currency next week.

More than 90 businesses in Lampeter will allow customers to trade in euros as part of a series of events marking a visit by a delegation from its twin town in France.

While the government dithers about whether the UK should join the single currency, Lampeter Chamber of Trade has decided to give locals a taste of what it would be like to deal in euros.

Local shoppers and the 80 or so visitors from St Germain sur Moine, near Paris, will enter into the spirit of 'entente cordiale' by paying for a range of services including haircuts, electrical goods and food.

This scheme will give people a chance to find out what it will be like if and when we join the European Currency Hazel Thomas, Chamber of Trade

The Chamber of Trade hopes the scheme will boost trade and allow locals to use their spare holiday cash.

"This idea seems to have captured people's imagination and everybody agrees it is a great idea," said Hazel Thomas, the chamber's chairman.

Internet

"We have liaised with local high street banks and they have agreed to waive commission charges when we bank our takings in euros, " she added.

Customers will be encouraged to pay or goods in euros but they will get their change in sterling.

This move will encourage the town's French visitors to use up their British cash in the town before they return to the continent after their five-day visit.

"This scheme will give people a chance to find out what it will be like if and when we join the European currency," added Mrs Thomas who runs a hairdressing salon in Lampeter.

Hazel Thomas: People are very excied by this initiative

The town twinning visit will coincide with next weekend's Lampeter Food Festival which will also have an international flavour.

New internet technology will allow people to log on and watch live cooking demonstrations online.

"This is a very exciting first for the festival and will allow viewers to interact with cooks by logging onto an e-mail address." said Mrs Thomas.

Other town twinning events include the dedication of a new stained glass window at St Peter's Church in the town.