Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) has just launched its own gift card scheme designed to encourage local shopping. Here, BID Chair Jonathan Bellamy explains how things are going and how it can benefit businesses, shoppers and the local economy.
“People are buying it and businesses are now receiving it. The brand new Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Gift Card has landed!
And of course with Christmas just around the corner, and most people about to face that perennial problem: ‘what on earth do I get…’, for at least one person in their life, what better than a gift that can be used in a myriad of places but is also unexpectedly local and unique in its own right?
Designed by local artist Chloe Breeze and incorporating city centre iconography, it looks fantastic, and screams out ‘Potteries and proud’. The plan is that every year the card will carry a brand new design, and for some people the cards will no doubt become collectible in their own right.
As a card, it’s quite versatile too. Unlike other national loyalty cards, this one covers retail, hospitality, leisure, beauty services…in fact it can unlock all there is to shop and explore in our city centre.
Momentum is building. Already on board are Primark, TK Maxx, Lush, Flannels, River Island, Waterstones, WH Smith, Hilton Garden Inn, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Mitchell Arts Centre, Music Mania, Drop City Books, Keep It Local’s department store (with over 200 independent sellers), and many others.
In fact, 40 city centre businesses already accept the card and a further 20 are due to be set up in the next fortnight.
The offer is good, but its value is higher still. Funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, this little card has the potential to contribute a huge boost to the local economy and is a great opportunity for local people to express their loyalty to the city, something that is vital for the resilience of the local high street.
So what are you waiting for? You can purchase your cards at stokeontrentgiftcard.com.
Or better still, as an employer, why not give this alternative and locally minded solution to your own Stokie staff as this year’s Christmas gift or bonus? (Email [email protected] and the BID will lead you through).
With the SOT Centenary year imminent, look out for further actions for the city centre too, including: the first ‘City Centrepreneurs’ start up business showcase in November; a new Christmas Santa Parade; special City Centenary events; and most important of all the crafting of a brand new 15 year City Centre Masterplan. There’s life in these 100-year-old bones yet!”
