29/09/2021
Over 400,000 Spend Local Applications Complete On Day One
More than 400,000 applications for the Spend Local were completed on the first day of the scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, describing the response as "formidable".
The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday. Over 400,000 applications have already been completed and around 840,000 links to apply for the Spend Local card have been issued.
Minister Lyons said: "As expected, demand for the Spend Local card is extremely high and our response has been equal to it. In just two days, almost a third of the 1.4 million people eligible to apply have been able to complete their application. This is a formidable response and a great confidence boost for our local businesses that are at the heart of this scheme.
"We knew that demand in the first days of the scheme would be high but our systems performed well in coping with the huge volume of traffic. There is still ground to cover but the applications portal is open up to 25 October and there is plenty of time for all those eligible to apply, receive and use their Spend Local card.
"The objective of the High Street Scheme is to support local businesses across Northern Ireland adversely affected by the drop in footfall due to the pandemic. That is why I would urge everyone in receipt of a Spend Local card to think local when spending their cards and support those shops, hospitality and other services most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions."
The first Spend Local cards will be issued to eligible applicants in the week commencing 4 October.
The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday. Over 400,000 applications have already been completed and around 840,000 links to apply for the Spend Local card have been issued.
Minister Lyons said: "As expected, demand for the Spend Local card is extremely high and our response has been equal to it. In just two days, almost a third of the 1.4 million people eligible to apply have been able to complete their application. This is a formidable response and a great confidence boost for our local businesses that are at the heart of this scheme.
"We knew that demand in the first days of the scheme would be high but our systems performed well in coping with the huge volume of traffic. There is still ground to cover but the applications portal is open up to 25 October and there is plenty of time for all those eligible to apply, receive and use their Spend Local card.
"The objective of the High Street Scheme is to support local businesses across Northern Ireland adversely affected by the drop in footfall due to the pandemic. That is why I would urge everyone in receipt of a Spend Local card to think local when spending their cards and support those shops, hospitality and other services most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions."
The first Spend Local cards will be issued to eligible applicants in the week commencing 4 October.
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FMDFM Attend St Patrick's Day Reception At The White House
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Belfast City Council has outlined traffic and travel arrangements ahead of this Sunday's St Patrick's Day event in Belfast. A number of traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre. Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.
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People planning to attend St. Patrick's Day celebrations on L'Derry have been urged to "plan ahead to stay safe". Police in Derry City & Strabane have been working alongside Derry City and Strabane District Council in the run-up to the day, and officers will be on the ground on the day working to keep people safe.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.