Pre-Christmas push for Shop ABC Gift Card to encourage the public to support local businesses
A senior ABC Council officer has revealed that the Shop ABC Gift Card, which is designed to boost local trade in the borough, is being actively promoted at strategic Christmas-themed events.
The card bringing a welcome boost to local shopping, dining and services – is now accepted by over 180 businesses.
Speaking at a recent Economic Development & Regeneration committee meeting, Councillor Joy Ferguson (Alliance) asked if the council had plans to promote the gift card in the run-up to Christmas.
“How are we going to encourage the purchase of the ABC gift card? It’s a really good time to do that, and some information on that would be good.”
Infrastructure & Economic Development manager, Elaine Cullen informed the Banbridge councillor: “We have been really delighted with the success of the gift card to date.
“There’s been a huge uptake by retail businesses across the borough, nearly 180 businesses signed up, but obviously now our focus is on trying to sell that gift card to consumers.
“So, we will be having an active role. We will actually have a stand at the artisan food and craft markets as part of the Christmas lights switch-ons, and we will be actively promoting the gift card.
“There will be a call-out on the nights of all the lights switch-ons from the MC, about trying to promote the gift card, highlighting the special offers and trying to ensure that the money is kept local, and people are actually buying in their local towns.
“As part of the communication strategy and plan for Christmas 2025, a number of posts will be going out on social media, both on our corporate Facebook page and on Urban ABC, and again the message will be to buy local in your local shops.
“We have been working with those 180 retailers who have signed up. They have stickers and they have been trained on how to actually get people signed up. There will be lots more PR around that.”
Shoppers can use the Shop ABC Gift Card in a wide range of independent stores throughout the borough.
For more information, including a full list of retailers accepting the Shop ABC Gift Card, visit www.urbanabc.com/giftcard