Moray Loves Local Gift Card launched
Moray Council is urging businesses across the region to sign up for the new Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, powering Moray’s economic fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Moray Gift Card is unique to the region and can only be spent in businesses in Moray.
The scheme is being delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) in partnership with Perth-based fintech specialist Miconex.
STP and Miconex are working with Moray 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.
Chair of the Moray Economic Partnership, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, said: “The Moray Loves Local Gift Card holds the power to drive significant spending across our local economy, helping secure jobs and build a more sustainable, vibrant future for communities and people across Moray.
“I’d encourage all businesses and merchants here to sign up to receive payments via the Moray Loves Local Gift Card. It’s the perfect way for people throughout Moray to show their support for all that their local businesses have done for them since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The call to businesses to sign up was backed by Scotland’s Minister for Community Wealth, Tom Arthur MSP, in launching the initiative he said: “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.”
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.”
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.
For more information about the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card - including how to sign up - go to www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard.
A webinar, run by Miconex, for businesses interested in joining the scheme will take place on Tuesdays 5.30-6pm and Wednesdays 11.30am-12pm on this link.