The second annual “Eat, Shop, Play” shop to win initiative covering Bermuda’s three Economic Empowerment Zones, and aimed at encouraging shopping in those zones, has been hailed a success.

Between Black Friday through to the end of last year, members of the public were encouraged to eat, shop and play in any of the EEZs for a chance to be entered into a shop to win draw.

Customers who spent $20 or more in any participating restaurant or store within the EEZs were entered into a draw for a chance to win a $500, $300 or $200 gift voucher to a participating restaurant or store in the EEZs.

The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s EEZs are in Somerset, North East Hamilton and St George’s.

Donte Hunt, BEDC micro, small and medium enterprise officer in charge of the North East Hamilton EEZ, said: “It is our goal to encourage members of the public to expand their idea of where to spend their dollars during the holiday season. There are great locations outside of the City of Hamilton that many don’t often consider.”

During the shop to win draw, over 1,200 vouchers were submitted, more than 70 businesses participated, and shoppers spent a total of $121,157 within the zones.

Ray Lambert, director of micro, small and medium enterprises at the BEDC, said: “I am very pleased that we were able to continue this initiative, especially during what has been a very difficult year for businesses island wide. We were excited to bring it back for another year and its continued success fuels us and the participating businesses for the future.”

BEDC added an additional two prizes this year – a $500 voucher for one lucky participating business in each zone and a Golden Ticket Prize, which was a $500 voucher for the business where the first place prize for the shopper was drawn.

The winners from each of the three zones received their prizes this week.