New Glasgow Loves Local gift card launched
Glasgow is soon to have its own local gift card in a milestone move encouraging people across the city to back local businesses.
Article Source: Glasgow City Council
Last Updated: 19 October 2021 10:50
Glasgow City Council is backing the rollout of the new Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, which is supported by Scottish Government - powering the city's economic fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The significant show of support for local businesses across Glasgow is being delivered by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) - the organisation spearheading the Scotland Loves Local Campaign. The Gift Card scheme is a partnership with Perth-based fintech specialist Miconex.
The Glasgow Gift Card is one of 32 Gift Cards, unique to each region of Scotland, and can only be spent in businesses located in the region.
Councillor Angus Millar, Depute City Convener for Inclusive Economic Growth at Glasgow City Council, said: “Supporting local businesses in Glasgow will play a vital part of the city's economic recovery from the pandemic, and the Glasgow Gift Card is a welcome initiative to help the high street and the wider city economy. I would encourage any businesses in Glasgow interested in this scheme to sign up.”
The call to businesses to sign up was backed by Scotland's Minister for Community Wealth, Tom Arthur MSP, in launching the initiative: “We are delighted to be backing this innovative scheme as part of our pledge to support local businesses and communities within the first 100 days of government.
“The Gift Card is a quick and efficient way to encourage spend and drive sales growth in our local economies. Thanks to Scottish Government funding, this is the first of its kind on a national scale and I look forward to seeing businesses benefit from the opportunities it presents.
“In the coming months we will further bolster the Scotland Loves Local (SLL) campaign with the second tranche of our SLL Fund, helping communities revitalise their own towns or neighbourhoods, building wealth and delivering greater, greener and fairer prosperity.”
STP and Miconex are working with Glasgow City Council to launch the regional gift card, with the first year of costs being met by the Scottish Government as part of its £10 million of support for Scotland Loves Local. There are no registration costs for businesses. Payments are processed as part of the Mastercard network.
Supported by the Scottish Government and others, Scotland Loves Local is the campaign urging people to think local first by spending in businesses and attractions around them - evoking the strong community spirit witnessed at the peak of the coronavirus crisis.
STP Chief Officer Phil Prentice said: “We have never valued local life, the people and businesses around us more. The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative embraces that.
“We can't wait to see people loving local life by using their region's gift card, whether that be while out shopping, meeting friends for a coffee or meal - or making a day of it and doing it all. This is an ideal way of supporting the brilliant businesses in our communities.
“These gift cards will be a remarkably powerful way of unlocking spending potential - and keeping that money in local communities for longer. The more businesses that sign up, the better the local experience will be. We have had tremendous interest and support so far.
“Local businesses need our support - our communities need our support. Businesses can help people to be there for them by becoming part of Scotland Loves Local family. There has never been a scheme on this scale in Scotland.”
With the platform to purchase the regional gift cards launching later this year, employers are also being urged to support other companies in their area by using the gift cards as part of their corporate rewards programme.
Card operator Miconex already supports more than 60 gift card programmes across the UK, Ireland and North America.
Miconex Managing Director Colin Munro said: “The launch of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card is groundbreaking, giving every business in every region a chance to capitalise on the loyalty of local people in a scale we have never seen before.
“We hope to see businesses across Glasgow register to realise the scheme's full potential - and so everyone can benefit. Research by The Gift Card and Voucher Association suggests that local gift card schemes have a huge multiplier effect, with up to an additional 65% of the card's value being spent as people visit other shops, hospitality venues or leisure attractions.”
For more information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card - including how to sign up - go to www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
First Look: Mar Hall to reopen in Spring 2025
Spearheaded by independent Glasgow-based design studio, Graven, the renovation will see a complete transformation and expansion of one of Scotland’s most established heritage hotels.
READ MORE
Strictly professional Janette Manrara to make stage debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago The Musical at the Kings Theatre Glasgow
The King's Theatre are delighted to announce that former Strictly Come Dancing professional Janette Manrara will join the UK tour of CHICAGO as Roxie Hart, making her musical theatre debut!
READ MORE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a roster of blockbusters at Vue venues in Scotland
Vue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MORE
Dine out for under a tenner as Platform announces its new lunchtime offering
Platform announces its new lunchtime offering to help beat those January Blues without breaking the bank.
READ MORE
Glasgow student becomes first ever Scottish voice to feature on Ring video doorbells
A woman from Glasgow has become the first ever Scottish voice to be heard on Ring Video Doorbells, following a nationwide casting search by the smart home security company.
READ MORE
Top attractions reward local residents with special offers to say thank you and celebrate Glasgow 850
Glasgow Attractions have launched a series of special offers to celebrate Glasgow 850 and to thank residents for making the city a great place to visit!
READ MORE
Dobbies free February workshops
Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MORE
Casting announced for Scottish premiere of Tina
The King's Theatre Glasgow are delighted to announce the full cast for the Scottish premiere of hit production Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour.
READ MORE
Full programme announced for Glasgow Film Festival 2025
Glasgow Film Festival 2025 has announced the full programme for its 21st edition. Scotland's largest annual celebration of cinema will showcase 92 World, UK and Scottish premieres from 39 countries.
READ MORE
Glasgow 850 kicks off a year of festivities with programme launch
Glasgow City Council has officially launched its Glasgow 850 programme for 2025, a spectacular year-long celebration marking 850 years since the city gained Burgh status!
READ MORE
Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez are back with their biggest ever tour for 2025!
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are thrilled to bring their all-new show SPEAKEASY to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall next month!
READ MORE
Social run club marks 1st Anniversary with complimentary hosted run and coffee morning
Glasgow's leading running club, Solemates, is marking its first anniversary in style by teaming up with Granary Quay to host a unique social run club and coffee morning.
READ MORE
New opening: The Noble Public House is set to launch in Glasgow city centre
The Noble is set to open next month in Glasgow's city centre, re-imagining the classic British pub and taking an elevated yet unpretentious approach to hospitality.
READ MORE
WestFest is back for its third annual festival this June
After a successful 2024 festival, comprising over 130 events and reaching total audience numbers of over 110,000, the third annual WestFest will take place this year from 1st to 29th June.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORE
Celtic Connections banishes winter blues as it begins in Glasgow
Celtic Connections kicks off today with this year's edition featuring renowned artists, secret sets, and unique collaborations, showcasing traditional, folk, world, and roots music!
READ MORE
IRN BRU team up with YO! to offer haggis sushi to reimagine Burns Supper in Glasgow
IRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MORE
Silverburn breaks fundraising record for Glasgow Childrens Hospital Charity
Silverburn, has announced a record-breaking amount has been raised in 2024 in support of its long-standing charity partner, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
READ MORE
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces 2025 Glasgow Film Festival line up
FrightFest, the UK's top horror film festival, returns to Glasgow Film Festival for its 20th year. Expect terrifying world premieres, short films and more all at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre!
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
David Hayman leads fresh new production of Death Of A Salesman at The Pavilion Theatre
One of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman explodes onto the stage in this fresh new production led by acclaimed actor David Hayman.
READ MORE
Tron Theatre presents a modern take on A View From The Bridge
Tron Theatre Company is delighted to be presenting the award-winning play A View From The Bridge written by American playwright Arthur Miller.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Eat Happy returns to itison
itison's annual Eat Happy promotion is back with more than 100 of Scotland's best loved venues taking part including Sloans bringing back its unbelievable mac and cheese deal for only £2!
READ MORE
Extra_Ordinary new restaurant to open in Finnieston
A new pan-Asian powerhouse that seamlessly blends Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines will open this month in Glasgow Finnieston.
READ MORE
Govan group Dates N Mates awarded Asda Foundation Grant
Asda’s charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £400 to Scotland's friendship charity run by and for adults with learning disabilities.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
New fund invites Glasgow community groups to roll out wheelie good ideas encouraging local participation in physical activity
Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for support from a new fund designed to increase public participation in cycling and wheeled urban sports.
READ MORE
The reels on the bus
Innis & Gunn celebrated Celtic Connections, which kicks off this week, with a 'jig on, jig off' bus tour featuring trad band Gnoss which started and ended at different taprooms.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links