South Lanarkshire gift card scheme cancelled by local authority following poor uptake

dailyrecord.co.uk:

South Lanarkshire Council will not pursue a gift card scheme which was introduced last year.The South Lanarkshire Gift Card Scheme was piloted in the area last year following approval from councillors and was trialled for the year.

But after a disappointing level of uptake, the council will not proceed with the scheme.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android As of September this year, 207 businesses had signed up to the South Lanarkshire programme and the card had generated sales of only £1235.Funded for the first year by the Scottish Government’s Scotland Loves Local Gift Card scheme, 500 cards were produced for the pilot and designed to encourage local shopping and increase footfall to local businesses.To continue the scheme for another year, the council would need to fork out £11,700 as well as printing costs of £4500 for 5000 cards.Given the low sales in the area and the limited economic benefit, the council has decided that the card is not of the best value.Although councillors ultimately decided not to continue with the scheme yesterday (December 13), some voiced their disappointment.Chair of the community and enterprise resources committee, councillor Robert Brown, said: “This looked like a very promising programme, it’s disappointing that it didn’t prove to be worthwhile.”