Just one week left to spend it local

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today urged anyone with any balance left on their £100 Spend Local cards to use it now.

With just seven days to go before the High Street Scheme closes at midnight on 19th of December, the Minister said:

“Time is running out. There are just days left before the scheme closes on 19 December. While the vast majority are using their cards, there are some who still need to activate and spend theirs. Now is the time to spend it local.

“I am delighted that the High Street Scheme is working and our retail, hospitality and services sectors are witnessing an increase in customer numbers through their doors. The scheme is boosting our economy by an extra £2m on average every single day – that is over £121m so far. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has credited the scheme with boosting the number of shoppers on our high streets to their highest levels since before the pandemic.

“While this is a clear success, it is important to me and to our businesses that every penny on every card is spent in order to maximise the impact. This is the best way to ensure we support those businesses which were hit hardest by the pandemic. I urge everyone who has not used their card to the limit to check their balance and spend it all.”

Earlier this week, the Minister extended the deadline for applicants to use their Spend Local card by five days to midnight on 19 December. This was to allow more time for those people who received their card later to spend it.

The Minister added:

“We have received many positive stories and testimonies on the importance and the success of the High Street Scheme from individual businesses across all parts of Northern Ireland.”

Lynsey Cleland is one of those traders whose business was impacted by the pandemic. She says the High Street Scheme helped her shop bounce back.

She said:

“As a small family-run salon we have certainly felt the pinch during the past year or so. However, thanks to the High Street Scheme we have experienced a much needed and very welcome economic boost over the past few weeks. The Spend Local card coupled with the additional discount we have provided have resulted in new and existing clients coming into the salon and purchasing products they might otherwise not have been able to afford, with the result our takings have increased by an average of 10% per week.”

Gary Toal of Taylor and Toal optician in Antrim said his customer numbers are also up due to the scheme.

He said:

“We’ve seen new and existing clients come into our shop and we have further incentivised the scheme by giving a further discount of £50 off glasses. So the scheme is definitely worth it. Customers are certainly spending more. September was quiet for us but we’ve seen a big increase in sales from mid-October onwards. Sales are up 50% on last year’s monthly figures.”

The Minister concluded:

“The clock is ticking until the scheme closes but there is still time to support your local businesses. So, spend it now, spend it all and spend it local.”

The Minister also reminded cardholders that as well as spending local, they can also support businesses through shopping safely by wearing a face covering, maintaining social distancing and using contactless payment where possible.

Cardholders can check their balance, view transaction history, terms and conditions or find answers to frequently asked questions relating to the cards by visiting the DfE Spend Local page.

When an applicant receives their card, they must activate it through a computer-operated phone system or text message and make the first payment using a pin, before they can start to use it for contactless payments.

The High Street Scheme closes on December 19 when the Spend Local pre-paid cards will cease to be valid.