Local businesses are being encouraged to find out how a new gift card scheme, approved by Argyll and Bute Council today, could help them.
The aim of the Argyll and Bute Loves Local Gift Card initiative is to encourage local shopping, drive footfall to community businesses and keep spend local in the local area for longer.
The cards are suitable for small independent and national retailers with no costs to individual businesses. They can be used for face-to-face transactions, and online where a business has a ‘bricks and mortar’ presence in Argyll and Bute.
Businesses are being encouraged to sign up to join the scheme before the Argyll and Bute card is launched in the Autumn. They can do that on this www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard website.
The Scotland’s Town Partnership (STP), on behalf of Scottish Government, will cover the full costs of the first year’s pilot scheme of the card. The council will support delivery of the card by launching and promoting its use in the pilot year, and assessing its impact and potentially options for future funding.
Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Business and Regeneration said:
“The last 18 months have been very challenging for our business community and we want to do everything we can to help by encouraging people across Argyll and Bute to shop locally.
“I would encourage local businesses to find out more about the card and how it could help them.”
A report on the impact of the card and on-going costs will go to the Policy and Resources Committee in 2022 for consideration.
More information about the card is available on www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard