Spend Local: Final call for applications as voucher scheme closes

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has said he believes that 900,000 high street voucher cards will be issued to people in Northern Ireland in the next week.

In the three weeks since the first of the Spend Local cards were issued, 500,000 people have received one.

"We always said... we were going do everything to make sure people would have at least four weeks to spend the card," Mr Lyons told BBC News NI.

Monday is the last day to apply for a card - the system closes at midnight.

Applications can be made through the NIDirect website, external or by telephone on 0800 046 8330.

A total of 1.4 million people have already applied for a voucher.

"If you have received the email to say your details have been verified or saw the Spend Local reference number that came up on your screen when you applied, you can be assured your application is being processed," said the minister.

The deadline for spending the vouchers is the end of November.

Mr Lyons said data showed that most cards were being spent at "local" businesses.

"Already [those businesses] are starting to feel the boost the Spend Local card brings," he said.

"Use your £100 to help the businesses in your local area that were impacted by the pandemic."

He added: "There are going to people who are under pressure and will spend it grocery shopping - I understand that."

Just over half of the 500,000 cards that have been issued have been activated.

Monday's deadline applies only to new applications and does not affect those who have been asked to upload further information to verify their identity.

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the trade body Retail NI, said he was pleased to hear feedback from members that customers were using the vouchers at their businesses "in significant numbers".

"The more people that are spending this card with local small businesses improves the chances for the economic recovery of our high streets and local economy," he said.

"If we are truly to realise the potential of this card for our high streets and local economy, it is vital that shoppers support local independent retailers and small businesses."

The £145m scheme opened last month and is designed to boost activity in businesses hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, like non-essential retail and hospitality.

Everyone aged 18 and over is eligible to apply for a card to use in shops before the end of November.

The cards are expected to arrive seven to 10 days after application, and can be used in any shop with a card machine.

The cards must be used by 30 November.

Mr Lyons said he was still keen to see the holiday-at-home voucher scheme go ahead also.