Sunderland’s Gift Card gave Businesses a Festive Boost following Record Sales

The Sunderland gift card makes its “presents” felt. The gift card brought the city’s businesses a festive boost following record sales. The scheme has almost 200 businesses participating and has gone from strength to strength since it launched in 2020. 

Sunderland BID was the one that set up the card and has revealed that it brought in a record £50,000 over Christmas. The number of corporate sales coupled with the Bridges replacing its previous gift card with the city version in the autumn was all different contributory factors to its most recent success. 

With all these factors combined, over the last year, there was more than £70,000 worth of gift cards sold as now it gives buyers the ability to choose from several purchase options, including buying them online, as an e-voucher or in person at a number of sales points across the city and beyond. 

Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, is delighted with the response- and the fact that more than £125,000 has been spent on cards since the scheme began. 

She said: “ Giving someone a Sunderland Gift Card not only means they can choose to spend it in a whole variety of ways but comes with the added bonus that they are supporting businesses across the city.

“We hope that anyone who got the card over Christmas will now look to spend it in January and February. There are so many different places to spend it, from scores of retail outlets to experiences like the cinema or in restaurants, that there really is something for everyone to enjoy”. 

Karen Eve, Centre Director at the Bridges, added that offering the city-wide card had been a good move for the shopping centre. 

She said: “We see ourselves very much at the heart of the city, so it made total sense to us be part of Sunderland’s own scheme and it is excellent news that the convenience of being able to buy the cards directly at the Bridges has played a part in its success over the festive period.

“The next big day on the calendar is Valentine’s Day, so we hope that anyone stuck on what to buy their loved one for a gift will also find this the perfect option”. 

The Gift Cards can be purchased at physical sale points including the Bridges, Museum and Winter Gardens, National Glass Centre and Houghton and Washington Libraries. The gift card can also be purchased as a digital download which can be delivered directly to the recipient’s device wallet. 

They can also be purchased here: http://www.sunderlandgiftcard.com/