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29/09/2021
Over 400,000 Spend Local Applications Complete On Day One
More than 400,000 applications for the Spend Local were completed on the first day of the scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, describing the response as "formidable".
The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday. Over 400,000 applications have already been completed and around 840,000 links to apply for the Spend Local card have been issued.
Minister Lyons said: "As expected, demand for the Spend Local card is extremely high and our response has been equal to it. In just two days, almost a third of the 1.4 million people eligible to apply have been able to complete their application. This is a formidable response and a great confidence boost for our local businesses that are at the heart of this scheme.
"We knew that demand in the first days of the scheme would be high but our systems performed well in coping with the huge volume of traffic. There is still ground to cover but the applications portal is open up to 25 October and there is plenty of time for all those eligible to apply, receive and use their Spend Local card.
"The objective of the High Street Scheme is to support local businesses across Northern Ireland adversely affected by the drop in footfall due to the pandemic. That is why I would urge everyone in receipt of a Spend Local card to think local when spending their cards and support those shops, hospitality and other services most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions."
The first Spend Local cards will be issued to eligible applicants in the week commencing 4 October.
The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday. Over 400,000 applications have already been completed and around 840,000 links to apply for the Spend Local card have been issued.
Minister Lyons said: "As expected, demand for the Spend Local card is extremely high and our response has been equal to it. In just two days, almost a third of the 1.4 million people eligible to apply have been able to complete their application. This is a formidable response and a great confidence boost for our local businesses that are at the heart of this scheme.
"We knew that demand in the first days of the scheme would be high but our systems performed well in coping with the huge volume of traffic. There is still ground to cover but the applications portal is open up to 25 October and there is plenty of time for all those eligible to apply, receive and use their Spend Local card.
"The objective of the High Street Scheme is to support local businesses across Northern Ireland adversely affected by the drop in footfall due to the pandemic. That is why I would urge everyone in receipt of a Spend Local card to think local when spending their cards and support those shops, hospitality and other services most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions."
The first Spend Local cards will be issued to eligible applicants in the week commencing 4 October.
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29 November 2021
Spend Local Card Holders Urged To 'Spend Every Penny'
Spend Local card holders are being urged to make sure they check the balance left on their cards and to spend every penny of the balance. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons made the call during a visit to The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim. He said: "By now, nearly everyone who applied for their Spend Local card has received it.
Spend Local Card Holders Urged To 'Spend Every Penny'
Spend Local card holders are being urged to make sure they check the balance left on their cards and to spend every penny of the balance. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons made the call during a visit to The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim. He said: "By now, nearly everyone who applied for their Spend Local card has received it.
14 September 2021
High Street Scheme To Open From 27 September
The £100 Spend Local pre-paid card High Street Scheme (HSS) will be open from 27 September until 25 October, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced. During a visit to Belfast's Ormeau Road - which was recently announced as Retail NI's High Street of the Year - the Minister announced also announced a number of other key dates.
High Street Scheme To Open From 27 September
The £100 Spend Local pre-paid card High Street Scheme (HSS) will be open from 27 September until 25 October, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced. During a visit to Belfast's Ormeau Road - which was recently announced as Retail NI's High Street of the Year - the Minister announced also announced a number of other key dates.
01 March 2022
Over 3.7m Transactions Made Using High Street Scheme
Almost 1.4 million shoppers made more than 3.7 million transactions across Northern Ireland using the High Street Voucher Scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has told the Assembly. In a statement in the chamber, the Minister said the scheme injected at least £136.
Over 3.7m Transactions Made Using High Street Scheme
Almost 1.4 million shoppers made more than 3.7 million transactions across Northern Ireland using the High Street Voucher Scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has told the Assembly. In a statement in the chamber, the Minister said the scheme injected at least £136.
08 November 2021
New Deadline Set For Supplying Documents For High Street Scheme
A new deadline of midnight on Friday 12 November has been announced for people asked to supply additional documentation for the manual verification process for the High Street Scheme. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed the new deadline as he revealed over £42million has been spent using Spend Local cards to date.
New Deadline Set For Supplying Documents For High Street Scheme
A new deadline of midnight on Friday 12 November has been announced for people asked to supply additional documentation for the manual verification process for the High Street Scheme. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed the new deadline as he revealed over £42million has been spent using Spend Local cards to date.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
