Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) has called for England, Wales and Scotland to follow the example set in Northern Ireland in issuing a shopping voucher to encourage high street spending.
Last week it was announced that every adult aged over 18 in Northern Ireland will be issued with a £100 voucher to spend at ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers. The announcement coincided with the reopening of non-essential retail – including cookshops and housewares stockists – in Northern Ireland. The vouchers are expected to be issued over the summer.
Bira has called for the other home nations to follow suit, with ceo Andrew Goodacre commenting: “This is an excellent scheme to increase spending in local communities and we would now like to see England, Scotland and Wales follow with a similar initiative.”
He reflected: “Last summer, the hospitality industry had the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, now the independent retail sector needs the same support in a Shop Out to Help Out initiative.”
Top: The announcement of a voucher scheme coincided with the reopening of non-essentail retailers in Northern Ireland. Photo: Tim Douglas.
