They are the new odds for a lucky group of Tamworth shoppers, one of which will drive away in a brand new car on Thursday night.

The Business Chamber’s inaugural Think Local, Support Local retail promotion has recorded over $800,000 worth of local sales in 12 weeks, with one lucky entrant being drawn out of a barrel every week.

Those winners have all been given a key, but only one will fit the Honda Jazz that will be given away at the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in the Fitzroy Plaza on Thursday night.

What are unfortunate circumstances for three of those winners have only served to boost the odds of the nine others, with two unavailable to be there on the night, and the other missing the two hour time frame to claim the key.

Business Chamber marketing manager Jill Stewart praised both the the community and retailers for getting on board with the promotion.

“Having only one key that wasn’t claimed shows the success and popularity of the community engagement initiative,” she said.

“It is unfortunate that two of the key winners are unable to attend the final draw, although that does mean the odds of a brand new car this Christmas are looking good for one lucky local shopper.” 

The chamber initiative, which was backed by Tamworth Regional Council, not only set out to drive up local retail before Christmas, but also collect and analyse data to improve the local economy in years to come.

On Thursday night at 6.30pm all nine contestants will pull identical keys out of a hat and test them on the car, with the lucky winner “driving away.”