Belfast BIDs support city centre recovery

A collaboration, announced last September, between the three Belfast Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Belfast One, Linen Quarter BID and Destination CQ, is aiming to play its part in supporting with Belfast City Centre’s recovery and reopening plan.

The collaboration, based around the Belfast City Centre Gift Card scheme, is funded and supported by the BIDs.

It provides card holders with access to over 155 City Centre businesses located across the BIDs locations ranging from retail, health, beauty, cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels.

Over the past six months the gift card scheme has achieved fantastic results. A ‘buy now, spend later, support the City Centre when it reopens’ message, delivered through social media channels and marketing activities, directly contributed to the generation of £88k in sales between November and December 2020. Engagement with City Centre businesses has encouraged regular new sign ups, which has helped to enhance the gift card customer offering.

As the City Centre moves towards reopening, the Belfast City Centre Gift Card scheme is important now more than ever.

A Spring marketing campaign will focus on supporting with the safe reopening of the City Centre as well as promoting the card as the ideal gift solution for special occasions and key seasonal celebrations.

Purchasing a card takes only a few clicks. Customers visit www.belfastcitycentregiftcard.co.uk, choose amount, load onto card, purchase, and have it delivered straight to the recipient’s door. Cards are valid for a year from date of purchase and can only be used, in person, at the participating business venues.

Damien Corr, BID Manager at Destination CQ BID, explained: “Our businesses have done so well to adapt during the changing restrictions, and later, to be

Covid secure.

“When restrictions lift and it’s safe to do so we hope to encourage people back into the City Centre to explore what’s on offer. Many of our businesses have spent time enhancing their outdoor areas offering a new experience and there are plenty of great public spaces to enjoy some alfresco dining during the warmer months. 

“Most of us will be staycationing this year and it’s a great opportunity to support local.”

Kathleen McBride, BID Manager at Belfast One, continued: “The partnership with the other two BID’s over the last six months has really highlighted the importance of working together to strengthen the proposition of Belfast City Centre and to support those businesses registered with the Belfast City Centre Gift Card. Whether you want to enjoy an overnight stay, a shopping trip with a lazy lunch or a hair and beauty treat, the benefit of the Gift Card is that it can be enjoyed in so many different types of businesses!”

Highlighting Belfast’s loyal history and urging the community to purchase a Belfast Gift Card, Chris McCracken, Managing Director at Linen Quarter BID stated that the town needed huge support, now more than ever.

He added: “Over the last 20 years Belfast has forged a reputation for exceptional hospitality and vibrant independent retail.

“These are the businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and, as we start to build towards recovery, they need the support of the public more than ever!

“The Belfast Gift Card supports over 155 businesses across the City Centre, including our much-loved cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and shops.

“Purchasing a gift card for friends and family gives them the very best of Belfast’s offering and will make a massive contribution towards the renewal of our City Centre.”

For further details visit www.belfastcitycentregiftcard.co.uk. Follow the Belfast City Centre Gift Card story on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and join the conversation using #GiftTheCity.

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