Shoppers will soon be able to earn 'Norwich Points' when they eat and drink and buy from the city's independent retailers.

The new loyalty scheme, launched by contactless payment app Droplet, will mean people who pay for goods using their mobile phone will receive 'Droplet cash' to spend in shops or receive special offers.

It comes as the business, which removes bank fees from electronic payments, has signed up more than 1,000 retailers in nine places across the UK.

And Norwich-born entrepreneur Steffan Aquarone, who launched the app after a £1m cash injection from investors, said the company was beginning to produce a turnover for the first time.

Retailers have been able to add a reward element from the app since March, meaning users could collect virtual stamps on each visit.

But from September 21 they will be able to collect points from any shop which has signed up to Droplet - available on iPhones and Android.

'It is going extremely well,' said Mr Aquarone. 'Norwich wasn't the first place we went but it was the first place we successfully grew.'

'We've had 3000 local users sign up to Droplet Rewards already so that shows there is an appetite from consumers to buy local if they are earning something back in return.

'This made us think. Why not broaden the offer so that instead of just collecting virtual stamps for one venue, users can also earn points for the umbrella scheme that covers all of our merchants at the same time?'

Droplet has formed a partnership with the Norwich Business Improvement District, aimed to expand Rewards further across the city.

And since launching, almost 14,000 payments have been made using Droplet, equating to more than £200,000.

Co-founder Mr Aquarone raised £500,000 through crowdfunding website Crowd Cube to hire nine Droplet 'ambassadors', based in cities including Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Norwich.

Droplet charges a £20 monthly fee to merchants, which allows them to use the transaction-fee free service.

'Our vision is to build the Starbucks app for independent businesses,' said Mr Aquarone.

And he added turnover, although extremely low, was beginning to build.

'In tech you are looking for patterns,' he said. 'It's if you can demonstrate there is a repeatable way of growing, even if you are not profitable.'

Have you launched a new business? Call business writer Sabah Meddings on 01603 772879 or email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk