There’s never been a better, nor more important, time to support Preston’s local businesses than now.

And there’s a way to ensure those traders, who have fought so hard to survive over the past year and more, benefit even more from your custom.

The Preston Gift Card is accepted in more than 80 city shops, bars, restaurants and more and guarantees that your money stays local.

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Preston is one of more than 60 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland to have such a scheme, run by Miconex and effectively creating a local currency to increase custom as well as stimulate greater economic activity in the high street.

It was among the first places in the North West to adopt the gift card programme, joining last November, and is supported locally by Preston Business Improvement District (BID).

Jonathan Halton from Preston BID said: “It’s important that we work with loyal local people to keep spend circulating in their city centre economy, whilst also providing a wide choice of where to spend their well-earned money.

“The Preston Gift Card card gives shoppers a powerful alternative to existing national cards, especially that are tied to one outlet,  and will be key factor in encouraging people to continue supporting their local businesses, in the recovery from this crisis, and beyond.

“We’re absolutely committed to helping to drive local spend and consistently promoting a ‘shop local’ message.  

“Our focus remains on helping city centre businesses recover from the Covid crisis, and flourish beyond.

“The Preston Gift Card will be accepted by popular independents and national brands we all know and love”

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Nationally, more than 47,000 Town and City Gift Cards were purchased in 2020, valued at £1.9m. Data from the Town and City Gift Cards programme shows that people spend an average of £34.56 when they buy a gift card.

See which businesses are declaring themselves #BackForGood near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea

See which businesses are declaring themselves #BackForGood near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea

Ed Walker, Blog Preston’s founder and non-executive director, said: “From visiting the Market Hall to wandering down Lune Street there’s lots of independent retailers and shops who need supporting.

“It’s worth noting places like Cafune and Jonah’s, which I visited this week for a coffee, are on here. So it’s not just shops but lots of bars, restaurants and more too.

“The Preston Gift Card means you can shop local and support those traders who make Preston what it is – a vibrant and up and coming city.”

Where you can use the Preston Gift Card

• 263 Restaurant
• 1842 Restaurant & Bar
• Action Records
• American Candyland
• Ann Summers
• Baker Street Preston
• Baluga Bar & Club
• Black Horse
• Boots
• Brew + Bake
• Caffè Nero
• Caffè Nero
• Cafune – South American Cafe
• Capelli Remi
• Cash Generator Preston
• Cherry Pie Coffee & Co
• Christian Book Centre
• Costa Coffee
• Couture Designer Wear
• DD Practical
• Emmaus Preston Fishergate Store
• Ernest Jones
• European Fine Arts & Antiques Ltd
• FatFace
• Fino Tapas
• Fones Hub
• FORUM BAR & KITCHEN
• Fresh and Fruity
• George Banks
• Green Pheasant Gifts
• Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library
• Hellewell Menswear
• hmv
• Hollywood Exports Vintage Clothing
• Jonah’s Coffee
• Kenworthy Chiropractic
• La Neta
• LeVel
• Lush
• Mark Williams Fishmongers
• Matt Wade the Banana King
• McDonald’s Preston Friargate
• Nando’s Preston – Market Place
• No.10 Preston
• Novello
• Ocean
• Oxfam Bookshop
• The Personalised Print and Gift Box
• Peter Jackson the Jeweller
• Pickles of Preston
• Plau Gin & Beer House
• Primark
• Ravenous
• Rise.
• Retrogue Vintage Clothing
• Ryman Stationery
• Scof
• Sheridan’s BAGS&BAGS
• Ships and Giggles
• Smashed Preston
• Society1
• Subway
• Subway
• Swarovski
• The Body Shop
• The Ferret
• The Larder
• The Mandala Yoga & Wellbeing Preston
• The Secret Garden Flower Shop
• The Winter Lodge
• Thomas Sabo
• TJ Hughes
• Town House Coffee and Brew Bar
• Turtle Bay Preston
• Waterstones.
• We Don’t Give a Fork
• Wilkinson Cameras
• Winckley Square Hotel
• Winckley Street Ale House
• Wings & Beer Co.
• Smashed Preston

You can buy your Preston Gift Card here.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines