Sunderland gift card launched to keep help support local businesses

Sunderland’s shops are getting their own gift card to help keep cash in the city’s stores.
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It will be the first city in the North East to launch its own scheme, as part of an on-going effort help retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, cafes and services thrive.

The Sunderland Gift Card, which can be loaded up with £5 up to £500, is being pioneered by Sunderland City Council and Sunderland BID.

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Mandy Brown, of Harrison & Brown furniture, in Holmeside, which has signed up to the Sunderland Gift Card,  with Natalie Dellow of Sunderland BID as they help launch the scheme.Mandy Brown, of Harrison & Brown furniture, in Holmeside, which has signed up to the Sunderland Gift Card,  with Natalie Dellow of Sunderland BID as they help launch the scheme.
Mandy Brown, of Harrison & Brown furniture, in Holmeside, which has signed up to the Sunderland Gift Card, with Natalie Dellow of Sunderland BID as they help launch the scheme.
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Businesses of all types are being invited to sign up for the scheme, which can be accepted anywhere taking Mastercard.

“There’s never been a more important time for people to shop local,” said Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland BID.

“And the Sunderland Gift Card is a fantastic way to do that, with the added bonus of having a whole host of options where it can be spent.

“We are now hoping that businesses will get behind the scheme and sign up, ahead of its official launch mid-November.”

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The card is part of the Reopening High Streets Safely project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller added: “Dozens of cities and towns across the country have similar gift cards and there’s lots of good reasons for Sunderland having one too.

“If you’re gifting and buying with one of these cards then you’re helping keep somebody in work in Sunderland, you’re supporting Sunderland and helping keep money in the city, not just an online business or a company that may have little or no physical presence here.

“This is a card that’s not just for Christmas.”

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, the firm which will help run the scheme said the card will help support jobs as it keeps cash in the city.

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“Most cards that are purchased for Christmas will be spent in January, which is traditionally a quiet time for traders,” he said.

"We might be heading into lockdown once more, but this is a way to still support local traders by giving Sunderland Gift Card as a Christmas gift, or to use once businesses open again.”

Any business wanting to sign up should contact [email protected].

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