It’s almost one year since the Isle of Wight council launched the Wight Gift Card, a scheme aimed at supporting Island businesses as they recovered from the challenges of Covid Lockdowns.
Since launching on 6th November 2020, a total of 145 Wight Gift Cards have been sold: 70 in 2020 and another 75 this year.
There are 101 businesses with physical shops and 15 businesses with online shops participating with the scheme on the Island.
How much has it cost the council?
The scheme cost the council £8,000 to initially set-up, but added to this is a £400 per month maintenance fee, plus £0.50 per month per subscribing business (£424 as of 14th Oct).
This takes the total costs to date to £12,824. However, a spokesperson for the council told News OnTheWight that,
“WightFibre have committed £6,000 to support the scheme so far, and we expect this support to continue in future years.”
Have retailers benefitted?
News OnTheWight has found that £6,835 has been loaded onto the cards, with £2,579 already having been spent.
Caroline Hurley, proprietor of Becalmed Spa, Cowes, signed up to accept the Wight Gift Card at her business. She said,
“We are a sports massage, holistic and beauty therapy centre.
“We joined the Wight Gift Card when it was first launched.
“We’ve had quite a few sales since we reopened through the gift card with both new and existing customers taking advantage of it.
“Clients enjoy the convenience of the Wight Gift Card, and it’s good to know that the money is going to support local jobs and companies.”
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
