Gift card launched to boost Bradford city centre's high street venues

A new gift card is being launched in Bradford today to give the city centre’s high street venues a boost ahead of Christmas.

The Bradford City Centre Gift Card can be used at around 70 businesses including high street chain stores, independent shops, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, hotels.

The scheme is being launched by Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) and shoppers will be able to spend the flexible gift card at all participating businesses and venues including The Alhambra, The Light, M&S, Primark, The Entertainer, Mario’s, Impressions Gallery, City Vaults and The Midland Hotel.

Bradford BID manager Jonny Noble said: “We’re really thrilled to be launching this exciting new scheme which will give shoppers and leisure-seekers a great way to spend while also supporting local businesses.

“Everything from food to clothes, drinks, a show, football match or hotel stay – every penny is supporting the Bradford economy and the flexibility of it means it’s a brilliant opportunity for people to discover and enjoy all our city centre has to offer.

Physical gift cards are sent to the recipient by post with an optional gift message.

Digital gift cards are sent to the recipient as a text or email; the recipient can then add the balance of their gift card to their digital wallet and make their purchase using their phone, either online or in-store. The digital version of the Bradford Gift Card will be available from December 7.

Consumers can load between £5 and £500 onto the card and recipients have 12 months to use the activated card.

Michaela Ramsden, manager of the live music venue and rock bar Nightrain, said: “We think the gift card is a fantastic idea and it can only be a good thing for city centre businesses.

“Because it’s so flexible it means every business – including bars and leisure venues – could benefit and it’s especially important because it means that money for presents that might otherwise have been spent outside the city has to come back into local shops.”