COVID-19: boost for NI businesses as shoppers offered spending vouchers
Last updated 30th Apr 2021
Shoppers across Northern Ireland are being offered a £100 voucher to spend on their local High Street.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said today (Friday) the idea was to kickstart businesses impacted by the pandemic.
The scheme is expected to go 'live' in the summer. It will include retail and hospital sector outlets.
Minister Dodds said every person aged 18 and over would be eligible to apply for a pre-paid card worth £100.
"I am excited to see shoppers back in our high streets, customers once again enjoying outdoor hospitality and the return of holidaymakers to self-contained accommodation. I am optimistic because reopening of our economy is the most important first step towards economic recovery,'' she said.
"However, our High Street Stimulus scheme will provide a timely boost to this recovery.
"It will provide eligible applicants with a pre-paid card worth £100. This means up to 1.4 million people will spend an extra £140 million on our high streets rather than online.
"This has a multiplier effect which will help bring many more customers back through the doors of local retail, hospitality and other sectors.
"We have commissioned research into when the HSS would be most beneficial to our economic recovery. We expect there will be pent up demand following the easing of restrictions. Therefore we believe that the end of the summer is the appropriate time to deliver this spending boost.''
Mrs Dodds also revealed that a planned Holiday at Home voucher scheme will open in the autumn aimed to drive demand after the summer season.
It is designed to allow Northern Ireland households to claim back 50% off a stay of two nights or more in certified accommodation, up to the value of £100.
Vouchers will be allocated on a first come first served basis and each household can apply for one of each type of voucher. Households can then claim their voucher money back by uploading their receipt and voucher details online
"My Economic Recovery Action Plan (ERAP) sets out the actions that will enable us to build a more competitive and inclusive economy as we move forward from today,'' she said.
"The High Street Stimulus Scheme and the Holiday at Home Schemes are cornerstones of this plan.
"Today is a bright day as Northern Ireland takes another step towards normality, and it is vital that this momentum is maintained.
"Of course, every one of us can play our part by following the guidance to ensure a safe as well as an enjoyable experience.''
Media campaigns for both schemes will be launched to encourage the public to register for pre-paid cards and vouchers online.
The Minister added: “Today is a day for looking forward. The re-opening of retail outlets alongside outdoor hospitality, self-contained tourism accommodation, swimming pools and gyms under the latest Coronavirus guidelines is another significant milestone as we move out of lockdown. "
She said it was another " bright day" as Northern Ireland takes another step towards normality, and it is vital that this momentum is maintained.
"Of course, every one of us can play our part by following the guidance to ensure a safe as well as an enjoyable experience," she added.