Plymothians are welcoming the launch of a new Gift Card for the city that can be spent across retail, leisure, hospitality and service businesses, including big brands and an array of independent businesses.
The Gift Card has been launched by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), which represents over 900 businesses across the four-square miles of Plymouth’s waterfront and has now been joined by the Plymouth City Centre Company which represents more than 500 businesses, including big brands and 200 independent traders.
The Love Plymouth Gift Card is available as a physical card or a digital card that can be uploaded to digital wallets. Over 80 local businesses have signed up to accept the card, with more coming on board every week.
Seafood café and bar The Hook & Line is part of the new Plymouth Gift Card. Co-owner Steve Page said: “The Hook & Line is an independent café and bar in Plymouth’s iconic Royal William Yard, the city’s coolest waterfront destination, specialising in fresh, local seafood and rum. As an advocate for the city, we’re 100% behind the Love Plymouth Gift Card. It’s an amazing initiative to keep money local in Plymouth.
“We all know how hard it is to buy a gift for someone nowadays. You don’t want to give cash so you end up buying a generic Gift Card for one or a few brands. It’s fine but there’s no magic to it. The Love Plymouth Gift Card gives people the chance to discover new businesses they might not have tried before, and gives us as business owners the chance to show what we can do. The digital aspect is brilliant because if you’ve got your Gift Card on your phone, you’re more likely to spend it, and it’s how people pay nowadays.”
Another business which accepts the new Gift Card is Kaya Gallery, owned by Chris and Di Warne. Chris said:
“Kaya Gallery is located in the historic Barbican, and we are proud to display many local artists. We’re part of the Love Plymouth Gift Card because it’s another way that we can practice what we preach and showcase local. People will be able to pick up the Love Plymouth Gift Card in-person from Kaya Gallery, so when customers are in the gallery debating what gift to buy, we can suggest the Love Plymouth Gift Card.
“There is a real excitement in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, for the launch of the card because it will highlight our unique selling points such as the jewel in Plymouth’s crown, the historic Barbican and waterfront – where Kaya Gallery is located – and many other unique businesses. With the Love Plymouth Gift Card in hand you can stroll along the waterfront, go for a meal, shop and experience it all. Importantly, it locks money into Plymouth from locals and visitors alike.”
Olive and Twist, a restaurant and bar in Old Town Street in the city centre, was quick to sign up to the scheme and will be stocking Gift Cards for visitors to pick up. Owner Dan Walls said:
“This is such a good idea and will be a direct benefit to Plymouth businesses, attracting more visitors and keeping spend in the city. We would encourage people to pop in and see what we have to offer and pick up a Gift Card for relatives or friends this Christmas and beyond.”
Kim Downer, deputy CEO of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said the objective of the card is to keep money locked into the city:
“After many years of planning, we’re thrilled to have our very own Gift Card for Plymouth. It’s a card that consumers can use for every occasion, from the end of the school year to Father’s Day, birthdays to Christmas. And it’s a card that local organisations can use to reward their staff or incentivise their customers. Every card purchased has to be spent here in Plymouth, powering our economy for the future.”
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “It’s been a tough few years on the high street so we are delighted to join in with this program to encourage more visitors to our city centre shops, cafes and restaurants and leisure businesses. It will be a big help.”
The Love Plymouth Gift Card is part of the award-winning Town & City Gift Card program from fintech Miconex. Over 20,000 businesses are part of the initiative with £45 million spent locally to date.
Colin Munro, Managing Director of Miconex, said: “It’s fantastic to see the launch of a Gift Card for one of Britain’s most unique and interesting cities. Shop local is a trend that continues to build, and the Love Plymouth Gift Card transforms the notion of supporting local into a tangible action that people can take to support their city, all in a Gift Card that offers unbeatable local choice.”
Cards are available to buy online for consumers and organisations, and in-person from the Tourist Information Centre.