Retailers urged to sign up for Scotland Loves Local gift cards Print
5th July 2021
Retailers across Scotland are being asked to sign up to be part of a major new gift card scheme being rolled out to further fuel the financial fightback from Covid-19.
A major registration drive is under way for the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, which can be accepted by businesses of all kinds, and has the potential to be accepted in every community in the country.
The Scottish government is supporting the scheme financially, allowing for the creation of cards for each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, each of which can only be used in that specific region. There are no sign-up costs for retailers, with payments processed through the Mastercard network.
Business urged to sign up to Scotland Loves Local loyalty card Businesses across the country have already started signing up so they are ready to benefit as soon as customers can start spending them. Kirsten Scott, co-director of The Guild Dumfries, who also runs design business Mala Interiors, believes the Covid-19 pandemic has led to greater appreciation of the part that local shops and services play in peoples’ lives. “Now more than ever,” she says. “People are realising just how important local businesses are and how we need to be promoting and supporting them in order to regenerate our high streets.
Now a Holyrood-backed scheme could make retail paradise, it is claimed. Scottish ministers are backing the roll-out of a local gift card scheme aimed at keeping cash in communities. And it’s hoped every area in the country will soon have its own regional gift card to encourage residents to support local businesses. The “Scotland Loves Local Gift Card” is part of efforts to “power the national economic fightback” after a year of hardship for store-holders. It’s being delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), after whose campaign it’s named, and is the result of a partnership with Perth-based fintech specialist Miconex. It already supports 60 such initiatives across the UK, Ireland and North America.
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Former communities secretary Aileen Campbell shows her support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign AWARD nominations are now open to honour the inspirational and innovative work making Scotland’s communities better places to live. A high street hero and those leading the charge to tackle climate change will be among those recognised in the Scotland Loves Local Awards. People are being urged to speak up about the individuals and organisations making a difference to life in their area. The awards are being organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) to celebrate all that is great about towns and neighbourhoods – recognising creativity and commitment towards shaping a sustainable, successful future.