Five Reasons to buy Southport BID’s new shopping gift card

Since most town centres and non-essential retailers have now re-opened after lockdown, shoppers have been able to visit their local stores and purchase from their favourite brands once more.

Many people believe that gift cards are only used by high street stores, but small retailers can also offer them as an incentive to their customers.

Southport town centre features a wide range of independent shops and classic boutiques as well as high street labels. It gives visitors the chance to explore something different closer to home rather visiting big city stores or an overcrowded shopping centre.

Visitors who are feeling anxious about shopping out in public after lockdown can also feel at ease as Southport is a seaside town with plenty of open air space, a big boulevard and spacious streets.

Buying a shopping gift card for Southport town centre is a great choice to help you with your purchases. It will even make a fantastic gift for a family member or loved one.

Here are just five of the benefits of buying one:

1: It’s a great way to help local businesses

Even though Southport is only a small seaside town, beyond the candy floss and fish and chip stands it has a fantastic reputation for shopping and a wealth of outstanding restaurants.

Small businesses and independent retailers in the area need help to recover from the effects of the pandemic and to start rebuilding the town’s economy.

That’s why purchasing a gift card is a great way of keeping spend local and helping out businesses.

2: You can spend it on whatever you want

There are currently more than 60 retailers and local businesses participating in the Southport BID gift card scheme.

The list includes popular shopping outlets such as Primark, M&S, The Entertainer, Flannels, Sports Direct, Rohan and more. Local boutiques such as Southport designer childrenswear brand Over the Moon have also climbed on board – meaning shoppers will be spoilt for choice, and can vary their spending wherever they choose.

From jewellery and clothing to other accessories and homeware, customers can just top up their gift card with the desired amount and spend it on whatever they want.

3: You can use it at restaurants and cafes too

The Southport BID gift card isn’t just limited to clothing stores and other retailers.

Restaurants and cafes in the town centre have also signed up, including Volare and The Fig Bistro, meaning you’re covered if you want to treat your family or that special someone to a meal out.

Other venues in Southport have signed up to the scheme too, including the local cinema, art gallery and Atkinson theatre, so your spending’s covered no matter what you’re interested in.

4: You don’t have to shop around for a gift

How often have you been over the moon to think you’re giving a special someone their perfect gift? Only to find out you’ve bought a pair of shoes that’s one size too big, or blue really isn’t their colour.

With a gift card you can leave your birthday, Christmas and even new year shopping hassles behind.

Giving the Southport gift card to a loved one will mean you’re giving them the option to choose their own pre-paid present, so there’s no more worrying about unwanted purchases or rapid store exchanges for you.

5: It’s cheaper than paying for delivery

When you’re shopping online, you often have to pay a delivery fee for your goods, as well as insurance cover in case your items gets lost or broken in the post.

Paying for something in store with a gift card means you can skip packaging and postal fees altogether.

You can also try the item out before purchasing to see if you like it, saving the hassle of returns or exchange.

How to get the gift card

Getting your hands on the new Southport BID gift card is easy.

The card can be ordered online and delivered straight to your door, or to the address of a family member, friend or colleague to make the perfect gift.

The card can also be loaded with any amount from £10 – £200 and then used in the same way as any other gift card, so what you spend is up to you.

For those who want to get on board with a more convenient way to shop and help the businesses they love stay open in their local town, the new scheme is now up and running.

To find out more about the Southport gift card, you can visit the Southport BID website here.