York Gift Card becomes the biggest in Britain – and it’s the perfect way to support local businesses

The York Gift Card scheme is now the biggest of its kind in Britain.

Over 250 city centre businesses now accept the card, from shops to attractions to restaurants – more than any other town or city gift card in the country.

And buying one is the perfect way to help these York businesses as they emerge from lockdown. Every penny loaded onto the card will be spent on local companies.

Launched with significant investment by the York BID (Business Improvement District) in October, the card is a simple way to boost city centre businesses – at a time when they need our support more than ever.

And it’s now even easier to buy one:

• at The Potions Cauldron on Shambles and RueB on Minster Gates
• at York Gin from 4th July
• via the website – with FREE first-class postage for a limited time.

The York Gift Card is a safe way to shop too. To pay, you simply swipe it through the business’s card reading machine, without the need to touch anything.

York BID Operations Manager Carl Alsop said: “It’s brilliant that the York Gift Card is now the UK’s number one scheme.

“The BID invested in the card last year, as it’s a smart and easy way to help local people support local businesses.

“Of course, those businesses now need our backing more than ever. The money loaded onto a York Gift Card can pay for items from city centre shops immediately – and be spent in pubs, cafés, restaurants, hairdressers and leisure attractions as they open up.”

As an additional incentive at this critical time, the BID is covering the cost of posting out the cards.

Any value can be added to a York Gift Card, from £1 to £500. You can learn more, find a complete list of participating businesses, and buy cards on the website: yorkgiftcard.com

“The York Gift Card is a brilliant present for anyone who loves York, for any employee who has gone above and beyond – or even just for yourself,” Carl said.

“Why not buy a gift card every week? It’s a brilliant way to commit to spending money in city centre businesses, and help York get back on its feet.”

If your York Gift Card expires during 2020 due to the lockdown, get in touch with the BID on info@theyorkbid.com and you will be issued with a new card to the same value.