Last Week To Use Spend Local Cards

With the High Street Scheme set to close at midnight on 19th December, the Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has urged anyone with funds remaining on their card to "use it now".

The Minister said: "Time is running out. There are just days left before the scheme closes on 19 December. While the vast majority are using their cards, there are some who still need to activate and spend theirs. Now is the time to spend it local.

"I am delighted that the High Street Scheme is working and our retail, hospitality and services sectors are witnessing an increase in customer numbers through their doors. The scheme is boosting our economy by an extra £2m on average every single day – that is over £121m so far. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has credited the scheme with boosting the number of shoppers on our high streets to their highest levels since before the pandemic.

"While this is a clear success, it is important to me and to our businesses that every penny on every card is spent in order to maximise the impact. This is the best way to ensure we support those businesses which were hit hardest by the pandemic. I urge everyone who has not used their card to the limit to check their balance and spend it all."

Earlier this week, the Minister extended the deadline for applicants to use their Spend Local card by five days to midnight on 19 December. This was to allow more time for those people who received their card later to spend it.

The Minister added: "We have received many positive stories and testimonies on the importance and the success of the High Street Scheme from individual businesses across all parts of Northern Ireland."

The Minister concluded: "The clock is ticking until the scheme closes but there is still time to support your local businesses. So, spend it now, spend it all and spend it local."

The Minister also reminded cardholders that as well as spending local, they can also support businesses through shopping safely by wearing a face covering, maintaining social distancing and using contactless payment where possible.

Cardholders can check their balance, view transaction history, terms and conditions or find answers to frequently asked questions relating to the cards by visiting the DfE Spend Local page.

When an applicant receives their card, they must activate it 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.