Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card sees December surge in sales
Mike Kirkham with Ian Clarke from the Apex which is one of over 75 businesses accepting the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card. Photo: Our Bury St Edmunds BID.
Sales of the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card have seen a 12 per cent surge on a year ago, with shoppers keen to support local town centre businesses.
New figures reveal that £14,000 worth of cards were bought in December alone, with spending on the card also up in the same month.
With the January sales on – now is also a great time to head into the town centre and use the card.
The Business Improvement District (BID) organisation which manages the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card has recently signed up new arrivals in the town to accept it including BLEND and Lisa Angel, both in Abbeygate Street.
And with more than 75 businesses now welcoming it as payment, it is the highest number of outlets accepting it since the card’s launch in 2020.
Mike Kirkham, the business support manager at Our Bury St Edmunds BID, said: “The value of Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Cards sold in December 2024 was up by 12pc on December 2023 and in the same month more than £3,000 was spent on the card in our town centre shops and businesses – a 13pc increase on December 2023.
“One of the huge benefits of this gift card is that it’s not just a fantastic way to support local independent businesses, but some of the favourite High Street names too.
For example, last month, some of the most popular places where the card was used include Vino Gusto, Waterstones, Adnams and Shuffle Board Game Café – a real eclectic mix.”
The BID is now working with a number of other businesses in the town centre who are considering accepting the gift card as payment and aims to see the number pass 80 soon.
Mr Kirkham added: “If you’re keen to support the local economy and you’ve been given an Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card for Christmas, please do visit our website to check out all the places accepting it, then make the most of the sales to enjoy spending it.
“It gives you unrivalled local choice and an opportunity for a post-Christmas treat during the cold January days.”
The full amount on the Our Bury St Edmunds card does not need to be spent all at once and it’s simple to check how much balance is left, where it’s previously been spent and where it’s accepted, just by scanning the QR code on the back. The card is Mastercard-backed for added security.
For more information or to buy the card online visit www.ourburystedmunds.com