Rollout of £100 High Street Voucher Scheme set for September
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has awarded the contract to Prepaid Financial Services
The £145million scheme will give everyone aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland a pre-paid card worth £100 to spend on their local high street.
It is planned that the registration process will open to the public in September.
The Contract for the delivery of the High Street Scheme has been awarded to Prepaid Financial Services (PFS).
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons revealed today the ‘Spend Local’ logo which will feature on each of the cards.
Speaking during a visit to businesses in Carrickfergus, the Minister said:
“After a robust procurement process, I am pleased to announce that the contract for the High Street Scheme has been awarded to PFS.
“This scheme is a key element of my Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan and will give a very welcome boost to our high streets which were hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This uplift is what our local businesses need and deserve.
“It will mean up to 1.4 million people will have an extra £100 each to spend on our high streets rather than online.
“This will help bring many more customers back through the doors of local retail, hospitality and other sectors.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits this scheme will bring to the wide range of businesses situated in the heart of towns, villages and cities across Northern Ireland.”
PFS is a payments technology company which helps governments worldwide get money quickly into the hands of people who need it the most.
Lee Britton, CEO Europe at PFS, said:
''We are delighted to have been awarded this contract. Our award-winning economic stimulus product trusted by governments worldwide will help to give a huge financial boost to the Northern Ireland economy.”
Aodhán Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the card will give “a welcome boost to high street retailers and other consumer-facing sectors”
He said: “The past year has been one of the hardest on record for our retail industry and our high streets because of the pandemic.
“It will create a virtuous circle of spending that supports our economy, boosts local commerce and gives our shoppers some retail and hospitality therapy.
“We would encourage everyone who is eligible to register for the scheme and make every penny count.”
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts also praised the scheme and described it at as “win-win for our members and our high streets.”
He said: “It will be a significant spending boost for struggling independent retailers as we progress the long road toward recovery.
“70p in every pound spent with an independent retailer is recycled around the economy, supporting local producers, farmers and manufacturers. So it is vital that consumers make a special effort to spend this pre-paid card with local traders to ensure the widest possible boost to our economy.”
Minister Lyons has urged members of the public to sign up for the electoral register as a first step towards getting the card.
He said: “We plan to use the register to check registrations for the High Street Scheme.
“Currently, we intend to roll out the High Street Scheme in the autumn.
“This aligns well to Retail Economics’ recommendations on optimal timing.
“The results of the consumer panel show that there is evidence that the scheme will encourage shoppers back on the high street, to support local independent businesses and to spend their card in those sectors that have faced difficulties trading in the past year.
“Many respondents considered that it would encourage them to visit physical locations.
“The Covid health restrictions will need to be monitored closely and taken into account as we move forward.”
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