The Choose CBR Scheme will be paused for a further seven days, after the website was taken offline yesterday to address technical issues.

It was previously hoped it would be back online by 7am this morning.

Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Tara Cheyne MLA said “I know this news will be a huge disappointment to businesses who have been preparing for and promoting the program and customers who have wholeheartedly supported it.

“Work continued throughout last night to try to resolve the issues. It is now clear this will take longer than anticipated.

“We are very conscious of the inconvenience and frustration this has caused to both businesses and customers, despite our best efforts to fix the problems to date.

“Work on the system will focus on the database to increase its ability to deal with the very large volume of customer and business activity that we have experienced.”

The ACT Government says it will ensure vouchers that have been honoured are reimbursed.

Shadow Business Minister Leanne Castley says small businesses have told her they are watching customers walk out the door due to the glitches.

“People doing an extra little shop are getting to the checkout, trying to use the voucher, it’s not working so the customer drops their basket and walks out of the store,” Castley said.

“As a small business owner how distressing is it to watch a customer leave without their groceries?

“I’m so proud in Canberrans getting on board and wanting to be part of this scheme, unfortunately the government has failed the proper platform for it to work on.”