Retailers urged to sign up for Scotland Loves Local gift cards

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.

The initiative is being delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) – the organisation spearheading the Scotland Loves Local campaign – working with Perth-based fintech Miconex.

STP and Miconex are working with local authorities to launch the regional gift cards, with the first year of administration costs being met by the Scottish government as part of its £10m of support for Scotland Loves Local.

Community wealth minister, Tom Arthur, said: “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.”

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) is one of Scotland Loves Local’s campaign supporters and has promoted the gift card programme to its members. Chief executive, Pete Cheema, said: “We are behind any initiative which encourages people to support their local stores – and the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card is another great way in which people can spend with our members.

“Choosing local has never been more important. Our members and their staff have supported their communities in remarkable ways throughout the coronavirus pandemic – and so many people have appreciated more than the value of their local shops. They have developed really positive habits in supporting the stores around them and we hope that this will continue. Our communities will be the better for it.”

More information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, including how to sign up, go to www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard.