Strabane gift card scheme to help boost local business

BUSINESS in Strabane is to gain a boost from a new look gift card scheme aimed at encouraging people to shop local, particularly in the run up to Christmas.

The card has been launched by the Strabane Business Improvement District (BID) and is both recyclable and compostable, a departure from the previous plastic card.

The Strabane Gift Card features a new blue and pink design with the ‘love local, support local’ messaging. An influx of additional businesses have signed up to the initiative, which means access to products and services in over 70 local shops, restaurants, leisure and attractions plus health and beauty venues.

Over £125,000 has already been retained in Strabane through sales of the Strabane Gift Card since its launch in 2018, with hopes that the new look gift card programme will encourage even more people to support local businesses.

Strabane Town Centre Development manager Emma McGill, said the time was right to refresh the town’s gift card programme.

“We’re pleased to introduce the new-look Strabane Gift Card which can be spent in more businesses in the town, making it an even better gift to give and receive,” she remarked. “When the magnetic strip on the card is removed, the card can be recycled or composted, and the card is posted out to the recipient in recyclable envelopes too.

“The gift card will also be more accessible for businesses, as they no longer need a swipe function to accept the Strabane Gift Card, meaning we can spread the benefits of shop local in Strabane even wider.”

The Strabane Gift Card is part of the award winning Town and City Gift Card initiative from fintech Miconex, with similar programmes in Belfast, Causeway Coast & Glens, Enniskillen and Mid Ulster.

The Strabane Gift Card can be purchased online from www.lovestrabane.com or in person from O’Neill’s Sportswear, The Alley Theatre and Caffe Fresco.