South Lanarkshire Council has agreed to launch a gift card that can be used at local businesses across the region.
The new scheme will allow people to buy the ‘South Lanarkshire Gift Card’ and contribute to the local economy.
The agreement is with Scotland’s Towns Partnership, which aims to promote the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, and is being proposed to all local authorities in the country.
A total of 5000 gift cards will be made available this year.
It was decided at the community and enterprise resources committee meeting this week that South Lanarkshire would take part in the scheme, which is open to all businesses with a premises in South Lanarkshire.
Customers can buy them from the business or online and then spend them at any business which has signed up for the scheme in South Lanarkshire.
The initiative is fully funded and supported by the Scottish Government for the first year (September 2021 to August 2022).
After the first year, the council will have the option to continue the scheme for a further year if it agrees to cover the running costs.
After the pilot, if the council decide to carry the scheme on, it will cost £7200 each year, with additional printing costs.
The gift cards will be promoted through online and print marketing which will be fully funded by the council, and is estimated to cost £10,000.
Kate Forbes, the secretary for finance and the economy, said: “I would encourage all businesses to sign up for the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card because it incentivises local people to spend their money locally, investing in their economy.
“The Scotland Loves Local campaign is so important for our economic recovery, locally and nationally, because it encourages people to spend their money locally and support local businesses. They have been key throughout the pandemic in helping us get through it, so now is the time to repay that and support them.”
So far, retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Boots, Schuh and Primark have signed up for the gift card to support stores.
Phil Prentice, Scotland’s Towns Partnership chief officer, said: “To secure such high-profile support is a significant show of confidence in the Scotland Loves Local Gift cards and their ability to become a major part of local economies across the country.
“It also shows the strength of commitment that these stores – and others – have for the communities in which they operate, creating another way in which local people can spend with them.
“The Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards will allow people to enjoy the very best their area has to offer, choosing local first. That’s vital for every community. If we are to create a better future for post-pandemic Scotland, we all need to think local to support the people, businesses and jobs around us.”