Chester Gift Card
In order to lock money on to our high street and encourage shoppers to spend locally, Chester BID launched the Chester Gift Card.
As of 2023 The Chester Gift Card scheme has pumped over £100,000 back into the local economy!
More than 125 businesses, from independents and large retailers to restaurants and experiences have benefitted, with many reporting an overspend since it was launched in November 2020.
One of the businesses that has taken part in the scheme is Lakeland, on Northgate Street.
Cathy Dallimore, General Manager said: “The Chester Gift Card has been great for us. Customers have told us that they like the variety of places they can spend their gifted amount. We’ve found in this store that there is an overspend of around £10-£20 – which is good all around.”
What is the Chester Gift Card?
A pre-loaded Mastercard that can be redeemed in any Chester city centre business that has signed up to accept it. It works off of Mastercard Technology so the purchase will go through as any debit/credit card would. Cardholders will swipe the card on the side of the card machine, and then it asks for a signature. Funds are already loaded onto the card so the money will go into your account straight away as it would a normal card.
What is the value of the Chester Gift Card?
The card can be loaded with £5 or £500! Give the gift of a cup of coffee or a whole weekend away with hotel, food, drink, shopping, spa and experiences.
Why should I sign my business up to accept the Chester Gift Card?
This is another way customers can put money in your til, locking in money on the high street. The more businesses that sign up the more desirable the card will be and the more money that can be locked into the local economy. Chester BID will use social media targeting to target visitors coming to Chester.
How can people buy the Chester Gift Card?
Purchases can be made online at www.chestergiftcard.com or in person at Chester’s Visitor Information Centre by Town Hall.
How can I sign my business up to the Chester Gift Card?
Register your business as an outlet accepting the Chester Gift Card by emailing luka@chesterbid.co.uk
You can also register your website to accept the card as a payment giving customers another way to spend money with you – more crucial now than ever!
- Simply run a £1 transaction on your website using these details*
– Card Number: 5388 9500 0446 1817
– Expiry Date: 11/25
– Security Code / CVV: 661 - Submit details of the transaction here: https://bit.ly/tcggiftregistration
- Link can take up to 48 hours. Once complete your website will appear in the online retailers section here: https://townandcitygiftcards.com/product/chester-gift-card/
*NOTE: If your website won’t allow you to run a £1 transaction, just attempt to buy an item at any price. Miconex (the company that manages this tech) just need an attempted transaction to show in the system and they can link your online sales from there, marc@mi-cnx.com can advise if you have any issues.
Which businesses can sign up to accept the Chester Gift Card?
If you are a BID Member* then there is no extra charge to sign up for this program, it is a benefit from Chester BID. Just email Luka today who will help get you online. There are already over 100 Chester high street businesses signed up to accept this card. The program is open to nationals and independent businesses, supporting the high street as one organism working together. See Gift Card FAQs here for more info.
Once you complete the sign up process your business will appear on www.chestergiftcard.com.
Tell your customers you’re on the Gift Card
If you have successfully signed up to the Chester Gift Card, please tell your customers! Download the below assets, tag Chester BID in the post and use the #ChesterGiftCard hashtag. If you would like an image with our Chester Gift Card to promote your store please get in touch.
