THE launch of the new Minehead gift card is all set to become a valuable way to ensure that money is spent in the town, local traders said this week.

Financed by a £100,000 grant, cards cost from £5 to £500 and can be spent with a variety of businesses in the town – on shopping, food and drink, accommodation, leisure and attractions and services.

One of the places where the Minehead Gift Card can be spent is The Lighting Company, an established lighting and homeware business with a store in Minehead.

“As for all businesses, managing the uncertainty of lockdown has been a challenge,” said the company’s Glenn Ross. “We employ over 20 people locally and are passionate about supporting Minehead.

“The Minehead gift card will keep money local, and that can only be a good thing. Because it can be spent with lots of different businesses in the area, there is that security too.

“After the first lockdown, support from locals was fantastic. People are shopping in Minehead rather than driving to other towns and cities.”

Janet Thompson, founder of Grown Up Marshmallows, who opened a shop on the Avenue a week before the first lockdown, said: “With the lockdown, we had to adapt our business, supplying hamper companies, refining our product and actually last year was our best year yet.

“We’re really lucky to have experienced local support. Without locals, we don’t have a business. We hope that people will buy the gift card to show their support for our town.”

The card became a reality following a £100,000 grant from Somerset West and Taunton Council through the emergency town centre recovery fund, led by a steering group set up by Minehead Business Improvement District (BID) and including leaders from Minehead Town Council, and the county and district authorities.

Jill Foster, of the Alcombe Fish Bar, added: “I think the card is a great idea. I had someone ring from Nottingham wanting to buy a voucher as a gift for family that live locally. The card is an easy way for someone to give a nice gift.

“Locals might also buy it for themselves, so they can treat themselves to a takeaway. The gift card is going to be especially important for us to support those businesses that have been closed during lockdown.”

The new Minehead Gift Card is part of the award winning Town and City Gift Cards programme, with more than 60 schemes across the UK and Ireland. Businesses can still register to be part of the scheme by going to http://bit.ly/minehead

giftcard or by contacting Richard Robbins at Minehead BID by emailing [email protected]