Stirling is soon to have its own local gift card in a milestone move to encourage more people across the area to back local businesses.
Businesses across the region are being urged to sign up to the new Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, which is funded by the Scottish Government and aims to play its part in powering the country’s economic fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic by keeping spending local for longer.
Finance and economy convenor Councillor Margaret Brisley said: “The Scotland Loves Local Gift Card holds the power to drive significant footfall and spending across Stirling’s economy - helping secure jobs and build a more sustainable, vibrant future for communities and people across the region.
“We encourage all businesses and merchants across Stirling to sign up and it’s the perfect way for people across the region to show their support for all that their local businesses have done for them since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Vice convenor Councillor Alison Laurie said: “The gift card is a quick and efficient way to encourage people to spend and drive sales growth in our communities. Local businesses are the lifeblood of communities throughout Stirling and the pandemic has thrown this into sharp focus. It is incumbent on all of us to show our support for them as part of our economic recovery from Covid.”
The significant show of support for local businesses across Stirling is being delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) - the organisation spearheading the Scotland Loves Local Campaign. The gift card scheme is a partnership with Perth-based fintech specialist Miconex.
Businesses can sign up for the scheme at www.lovelocal.scot/giftcard where they can complete the simple two-step form and registration process. The Stirling gift card is one of 32 gift cards, unique to each region of Scotland, and can only be spent in businesses located in the region.
STP and Miconex are working with Stirling Council to launch the regional gift card, with the first year of costs being met by the Scottish Government as part of its £10million of support for Scotland Loves Local. There are no registration costs for businesses. Payments are processed as part of the Mastercard network.
Supported by the Scottish Government and others, Scotland Loves Local is the campaign urging people to think local first by spending in businesses and attractions around them - evoking the strong community spirit witnessed at the peak of the coronavirus crisis.
