Fifty seven West End businesses are getting together to encourage Glasgow to shop local with the launch of a new gift card. Led by Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District (BID), the organisation behind Visit West End, the gift card aims to encourage more people to visit the area the Christmas.
Inspired by the success of Perth and Kendal with their prepaid visa card, the initiative will allow consumers to use the gift card in the shops, bars, restaurants and services found around Byres Road.
To celebrate the launch, Visit West End is giving away twenty £50 gift cards as an early Christmas treat. For your chance to win, simply head to here and enter your name and email address before 9am on Monday, 19 December.
Like any other gift card you can spend the balance in different outlets that are part of the innovative scheme, proving a successful way to keep consumers spending in the area.
The card makes an ideal present as you can spend the gift card in restaurants like La Vita Spuntini or The Hill, shoppers can browse S&S Argento or get their hair cut in Stuart Donald Hair.
The cards themselves can be purchased online at a dedicated website or in person Monday to Sunday in Papyrus (374 Byres Road) and Tuesday to Sunday in By Distinction Art (100 Byres Road).
David Howat, Chair of the BID, explains the benefits of bringing the scheme to Glasgow. He says:
“Byres Road & Lanes BID were keen to offer a gift card to promote our local businesses and encourage people to spend money with them. This is a really simple solution, one that’s easy for the person buying the card, and easy for the business that’s taking it. It’s flexible – you choose the value you put on the card, anything from £10 to £500, and the recipient can spend it any of the network of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes where it’s accepted. We have had an enthusiastic take – up from businesses, who see the benefits of this promotion of the area.”
Local retailer, Bruce Finnie from By Distinction Art ,says:
“I’m really pleased that the gallery will be an outlet for the gift card. It’s such a great idea, keeping business local to the West End and showcasing the wide variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars where it can be spent. It’s the perfect gift, obviously for Christmas but also for any time of the year.”
For more information or to buy a card head to: www.visitwestendcard.com
Accepting the Card
Restaurants
1. The Aragon
2. Bar Soba Byres Road
3. beGIN
4. Bo’Vine Meats & Wines
5. Cafe Absolutely
6. Cafe Andaluz
7. Cafe Swiss
8. The Cup & Saucer Vintage Tea Room
9. The Curlers Rest
10. Di Maggio’s
11. The Hanoi Bike Shop
12. The Hill
13. La Vita Spuntini
14. Nardini’s
15. Old Salty’s
16. Pizza Express
17. Sorrento
18. Subway
19. Taco Mazama
20. Ubiquitous Chip
21. VinYard 28
22. Vodka Wodka
Shopping
23. Nancy Smillie
24. Barrett’s Newsagent
25. British Red Cross
26. By Distinction Art
27. CCW Ltd
28. Charles Clinkard
29. Demijohn
30. Janet & John
31. Man’s World
32. The Nancy Smillie Shop
33. Napiers The Herbalists
34. Oxfam Bookshop
35. Oxfam DIY
36. Oxfam Music Shop
37. Papyrus
38. Peckhams
39. Save The Children
40. Stevensons Jewellers
41. The Studio | Ruthven Mews Arcade
42. Subversion Gallery
43. Time & Tide
44. W2 Store
45. Wendy’s HOOSE
46. S& S Argento
Services
47. Currie & Quirk Ltd
48. Flight Centre Byres Road
49. Graham’s Auto Centre
50. Mail Boxes Etc. Glasgow
51. McGrath Opticians Ltd
52. Pattison & Co.
53. Phoenix Multi Service Shop Ltd
54. Snappy Snaps
55. Stuart Donald Hair
56. WeRepair
Accommodation
57. Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor