Bristol shopping gift card launches today - with full support from city centre traders
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More than 60 businesses across the city are part of the Love Bristol Gift Card - set up in a bid to boost the local economy.
The unique gifting option can be used in independent retailers, hospitality outlets and high street shops.
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Hide AdSteve Bluff, head of Redcliffe and Temple Business Improvement District (BID), said: “Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe and Temple BID and Broadmead BID are excited to launch the Love Bristol Gift Card for our city.
“It can be used for a variety of purposes, from gifts and employee rewards to tourism.
“This is a card for eating out, for shopping, for activities and wellbeing.
“It’s a card for treats and essentials, for national brands and unique independents.
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Hide Ad“We all want to see our city prosper, and the Love Bristol Gift Card is a way that Bristolians and visitors can show their support for Bristol and make a tangible difference to our local economy.”
Some of Bristol’s most-loved independent businesses have signed up including Oak and Reed plant shop, Four Wise Monkeys, Bella Vista, Anytime Fitness Clifton, The Lost and Found, Bocabar, CLOTHINGXCHANGE and Mud Dock Cycleworks.
Owner and director of Mila Plants, Sam McKay, said: “Mila Plants started in lockdown and was named after my little girl because it’s a place of joy and happiness.
“As a queer-owned business, it’s also a safe space for all.
“Bristol is different to many other cities thanks to our independents.
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Hide Ad“We joined the Love Bristol Gift Card because it’s a way of showing what we have here in Bristol - the vibrancy and personality you can’t get anywhere else.
“It’s time for us to champion our small businesses.
“The Love Bristol Gift Card will keep money here in Bristol and bring money in, strengthening our local economy and making our city thrive.”
National brands signed up to the card scheme include Starbucks, Clayton Hotel, Whittard of Chelsea, Piccolino and Mountain Warehouse.
Mark Walker, retail director of Specsavers Broadmead, said: “People do want to support local more now, and the good thing about the Love Bristol Gift Card is that it can be used in lots of different ways.
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Hide Ad“You can get your hair done, get your eyes tested, go shopping, have a meal; it’s Bristol on a plate.
“The world we live in now means that card payments are the norm.
“Customers can use their Love Bristol Card like any other debit or credit card, so it’s easy for them to spend the card around the city.
“It’s going to be a winner for customers and businesses.”
The new gift card has been created by Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe and Temple BID and Broadmead BID, it is available to buy online as either a physical or digital card (physical cards are sent by post and digital by text or email).
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Hide AdThe card will work through the Mastercard system and can be spent like a debit card.
Andy Hill, store manager at model and hobby shop Antics Online, said: “We believe the gift card will help to promote Bristol.
“There is so much happening in the city, Bristol is a fantastic place to visit.
“The digital side of the card is important, people pay with their phones and watches more and more now.
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Hide Ad“As Bristol is a university city, parents can give their child a digital Love Bristol Gift Card and help them explore their new home.”
The card itself will feature an illustration of Bristol with iconic landmarks such as the shopping quarter to Park Street.
There is also a nod to the Bristol City Centre BID’s 2020 and 2021 Hearts in Parks campaign where hundreds of socially distanced hearts were painted in the city’s parks.
George Martin, owner of Baristas in Redcliffe, said: “The good thing about the Love Bristol Gift Card is that it can be spent with a good number and a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality.
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Hide Ad“I think if we get behind this new gift card, it could be a positive thing for our city.
“Employers can give their staff a Love Bristol Gift Card as a reward or incentive, knowing that their staff could use it with lots of businesses in Bristol and boost the local economy.”
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