A Leicester Gift Card scheme has been launched to support city businesses

The Leicester Gift Card will help support local businesses.

A new way to support Leicester's economy launched yesterday in a bid to boost the city's high street businesses.

The Leicester Gift Card, released by BID Leicester, can spent in over 100 city centre businesses including retail chains, independent shops, restaurants, pubs, cinemas and hotels.

Some of the businesses involved in the scheme already include the likes of John Lewis, The Perfume Shop, Boots, WH Smith, Hotel Chocolat, Ernest Jones, Flying Tiger Pandora, and Marks & Spencer.

Independent businesses are also participating, with redemption outlets such as Set, Manhattan 34, Wellgosh, Chutney Ivy, 23 Wine & Whiskey, Prana Café, Healthy Route and Harriman & Co.

The gift cards can be purchased at values between £5 and £500 on the official Leicester Gift Card website.

The team from independent shop The Very Bazaar on Silver Street welcome the new scheme. A representative said: “We’re so pleased to join The Leicester Gift Card scheme. It is a great way to draw people back to Leicester city centre and we are ensuring that local independent shops will benefit.

"Helping customers find the perfect item in our shop is our passion, so we love that it encourages shopping in person rather than online. We hope to welcome many new customers who have discovered our store after being gifted a card.”

Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, said: “The Leicester Gift Card is an exciting scheme, designed to give shoppers the choice of the city centre whilst protecting local spending."

“With the number of businesses in the city centre accepting the card increasing every week, we are expecting it to become a popular present choice for birthdays, special occasions and even corporate gifts. What better way for employers to show their support for their city? Customers can use the Gift Card flexibly, spending the balance in one go or in different businesses over time.

“It's a particularly significant time for customers to think twice about how and where they are spending their hard earned money. There is an increased awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses, and the Leicester Gift Card will harness this sense of pride and support of all things Leicester to assist the recovery of the city from the recent crisis and to a prosperous future.

“By accepting the card, businesses are opening themselves up to an additional revenue stream and potentially a new audience of customers who discover them after being gifted a card. There’s no downside, so I encourage businesses owners who are not yet on board to get in touch today to complete the quick and easy sign up process.

“The Leicester Gift Card will take the pain out of shopping for the hard to buy for, give its recipients the gift of choice and help to support the local economy – it’s a win, win, win situation.”

The credit on the card is not limited to one location and can be redeemed at any of the participating businesses in the BID Leicester area.

The total card value can be spent in multiple transactions at multiple businesses, giving customers the gift of choice.

The cards can only be redeemed in-store, encouraging customers to come out and support their local businesses in person.

Each card is valid for 12 months from the date of issue giving plenty of opportunity to attend the city centre. The Leicester Gift Card is available now and can be ordered online here.