Sunderland’s gift card scheme boosts city businesses

Sunderland’s gift card scheme has brought in a record £50,000 over Christmas, providing a festive boost to the city’s businesses.

Sunderland BID said a number of corporate sales coupled with the Bridges shopping centre replacing its previous gift card with the city version in the autumn are all contributory factors to its most recent success.

The scheme, launched in 2020, has almost 200 businesses participating, with more than £125,000 being spent on cards since it began.

Over last year more than £70,000 worth of gift cards were sold, with buyers now able to choose from a number of purchase options including buying them online, as an e-voucher or in person at a number of sales points across the city and beyond.

“Giving someone a Sunderland Gift Card not only means they can choose to spend it in a whole variety of ways but comes with the added bonus that they are supporting businesses across the city,” Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, said.

“We hope that anyone who got a card over Christmas will now look to spend it in January and February. There are so many different places to spend it, from scores of retail outlets to experiences like the cinema or in restaurants, that there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Karen Eve, centre director at the Bridges, added that offering the city-wide card had been a good move for the shopping centre.

“We see ourselves very much at the heart of the city so it made total sense to us to be part of Sunderland’s own scheme,” she said.

“And it is great news that the convenience of being able to buy the cards directly at the Bridges has played a part in its success over the festive period.

“The next big day on the calendar is Valentine’s Day so we hope that anyone stuck on what to buy their loved one for a gift will also find this the perfect option.”