Organisations Urged to Choose Local for Christmas Rewards as Digital Option Unveiled
The BID is urging organisations to choose local with their rewards and incentives this Christmas as they unveil new digital technology to make supporting local easier than ever.
The new technology allows organisations to distribute digital e-card York Gift Cards to their staff, clients, and customers online. Previously, organisations were only able to issue physical York Gift Cards as rewards.
The York Gift Card is a prepaid Mastercard that can be used in person like a debit or credit card in over 350 businesses in the city centre. York BID launched the not-for-profit scheme in October 2019 to support businesses by encouraging footfall to York and locking money into the city centre. Since its launch, the programme has grown to become the largest of its kind in the UK, with over 350 businesses on board, including shopping, food & drink, and entertainment.
The improvements to the digital York Gift Card make supporting local this Christmas easier than ever. Enhanced functionality also allows organisations to send digital York Gift Cards to multiple people at once by uploading a list of recipients. Organisations can now choose to send their York Gift Cards immediately or on a future date. With the new technology, recipients will receive an email with an activation code and instructions to download the Love Local app and add the gift card to their digital wallet. Recipients are then able to ‘tap to pay’ with the 350 businesses who are part of the York Gift Card.
Other improvements to the digital York Gift Cards include the ability to activate a digital gift card with any email address and the opportunity to forward a digital gift card to another person.
Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID, said: “We know that at this time of year, organisations are beginning to think about how to reward their staff for Christmas and our aim with the digital enhancements is to make it easy for organisations to support local this Christmas by choosing a reward option that ensures their investment is locked into the local community. For organisations already using physical York Gift Cards for their team, the digital option presents a new opportunity to reward their team with an e-card that can be delivered on a date and time of their choosing, taking the headache out of choosing a gift.”
York Gift Cards aren’t just for organisations – the versatility of businesses the cards can be used in make them the ideal present for those hard-to-buy-for people in your life. From cosy pubs and cafes to brilliant shops and attractions, there’s something for everyone. The Cards not only offer unbeatable local choice, but also offer tangible support for local businesses as every card purchased directly supports jobs, livelihoods, and footfall in York city centre.