A Scottish town is calling for residents to give extra support to local businesses during Covid-19 lockdown.
Milngavie, in East Dunbartonshire, has issued an appeal to the population of some 13,000 to purchase a pre-paid gift card.
The Milngavie Gift Card, which was launched last November by Milngavie Town Centre BID, is an innovative scheme that aims to keep money in the community.
The card is a pre-paid MasterCard that is accepted in more than 50 businesses in the town.
The card works in the same way as department store or shopping centre gift cards but within Milngavie town.
Graeme Ross is the chair of Milngave BID, an independent organisation funded by all the businesses in the town.
He said: “Milngavie has many businesses that really need the support of local people just now.
“While some, such as the butcher, fishmonger and pet shop, are still open for customers many others have had to close, or scale back their operations.
“We hope that as well as shopping locally, residents will buy a Milngavie Gift Card for themselves or for other people.
“The more money we can lock into the town during the Covid-19 pandemic and afterwards, the better it will be for the survival of our businesses, both small and large.”
Highlighting the need to support business still further, Milngavie BID has also launched an Easter-themed competition.
The Online Easter Bunny Hunt challenges people to search the Milngavie.co.uk business directory of local businesses.
There are clues to solve to find the bunny and the chance to win a £50 Milngavie Gift Card. The competition will run until 5pm on Friday April 17, 2020.
Mr Ross, who is a local business owner himself, said: “This is a fun competition to celebrate a very different kind of Easter in Milngavie during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“It’s also another way to support local business. I hope the community and the businesses will work together now and after lockdown to keep Milngavie alive.”
Source and image: Milngavie.co.uk
