‘Spend local, spend it all and spend now’, says minister on voucher scheme

As the roll-out of the £100 High Street Scheme continues, people across Tyrone area have been urged to spend it all, spend it now and spend local.

That’s the message from economy minister Gordon Lyons as the public focus turns from applying for the prepaid cards to spending the £100 in order to give our high streets an economic boost.

There have been a total of 1.43 million applications to the scheme and the distribution of the cards is continuing at full pace with over one million cards having been dispatched.

When an applicant receives their card, they need to verify the card through a computer-operated phone system or text message and make the first payment using a pin, before they can start to use it for contactless payments.

The Minister said it is important that people activate their cards and begin spending their £100.

Mr Lyons said, “This scheme is designed to give an economic boost to our retail, hospitality and service sectors. For the businesses to receive the maximum benefit it is important people start spending their £100 in local shops and businesses and spend every penny from the pre-paid card.”

The minister has extended the deadline to use the pre-paid card to December 14.

He added, “It is vitally important that everyone spends the full £100 on their Spend Local card so that we maximise the benefit to our local businesses including retail, hospitality and service sectors. The extra two-week period will also allow card holders who have some balance left on their card to spend it in local businesses.

“For anyone who has any balance left on their card, no matter how small, my message is: please go out and spend it locally. Buy a coffee, a breakfast, a newspaper or magazine, or even a small present for someone this Christmas. Maximise the Spend Local card. Every penny spent will help.

The owner of Black’s Shoes in Cookstown said the scheme has helped boost footfall in his shop.

Jim Black said, “At first, I didn’t think the scheme would benefit us, but I have to say my mind has been changed. We had our first customer using their card about three weeks ago and after a lull we have been seeing about three or four customers per day using their card.

“I was speaking to a sales rep who told me as he travels around the country, he is noticing that people are keen to support local retailers. This is similar to what we are experiencing too, and it is very welcome.”

The High Street Scheme will remain open until December 14. After this date the Spend Local cards will cease to be valid.