Sales of the Gloucester Gift Card have seen an uplift with shoppers’ keen to support local city centre businesses. New figures reveal that over £40,000 worth of cards were bought in 2024, with spending of the cards also up. With the New Year sales on – now is also a great time to head into the city centre and use the Gift Card.
The campaign managed by Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID) recently signed up Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Food Dock to accept the card. And with more than 170 businesses now welcoming it as payment, it is the highest number of outlets accepting it since the card’s launch in 2019.
Emily Gibbon, Manager at Gloucester BID, says “We are delighted that so many people chose to support local in the lead up to Christmas. With over 170 businesses to choose from, there really is something for everyone – from leisure activities like VRXPERIENCE and RollerXpress, to food & drink outlets like, The Fountain Inn, Coal Kitchen, Mister’s and Gloucester Food Dock, as well as visitor attractions including Gloucester Guildhall, the Museum of Gloucester, National Waterways Museum and The Folk of Gloucester. Plus, retail options galore, including Primark, Chez Rose, The Candle Tree, Great Western Air Ambulance, YMCA, Busy Creative Bees, M&S and Gloucester Quays.”
“In the last quarter of 2024 over £9,000 was spent via the Gloucester Gift Card.”
“One of the huge benefits of the Gloucester Gift Card is that it’s not just a fantastic way to support local independent businesses, but some of the favourite High Street names too. For example, in the last quarter of 2024, some of the most popular places where the card was used include Marks & Spencer, Greek on the Docks, Waterstones and Miju Wools – a real varied mix.”
The BID is now working with a number of other businesses in the city centre who are considering accepting the Gift Card as payment and aims to see the number pass 180 soon.
Emily added: “If you’re keen to support the local economy and you’ve been given a Gloucester Gift Card for Christmas, please do visit the website to check out all the places accepting it, then make the most of the sales to enjoy spending it. It gives you unrivalled local choice and an opportunity for a post-Christmas treat during the cold January days.”
The Gloucester Gift Card is part of the award-winning Town & City Gift Card concept from fintech Miconex, active across the UK and Ireland.
Colin Munro is the Managing Director of Miconex, says “Receiving a Gloucester Gift Card is the start of a journey of local discovery, encouraging the recipient to visit favourite local businesses and discover new ones too. Around 50% of people spend our local gift cards with businesses they’ve never tried before – which is vital for merchants who need to consistently bring new customers through their doors. Cards are also typically spent quickly, with 42% of people spending their card within 3 months and 33% within 3 – 6 months. Each card typically generates two specific visits into the city too. Local gift cards are hugely beneficial to the local economy, so dig out your Gloucester Gift Card and spend it today.”
The full amount on the Gloucester Gift Card does not need to be spent all at once, and it’s simple to check how much balance is left, where it’s previously been spent and where it’s accepted, just by scanning the QR code on the back. The card is Mastercard-backed for added security.
For more information or to buy the card online visit https://townandcitygiftcards.com/product/gloucester-gift-card/.
