The York Gift Card is here – the perfect present for anyone who loves our city

It is the gift that keeps on giving – to York.

The York Gift Card launches on Thursday (24 October), and is the perfect present for anyone who likes to shop, eat out and visit city attractions.

Brought to us by the York BID (Business Improvement District) the gift card can be spent at more than 200 city businesses.

Both local independent businesses and big national names have signed up to the card across a range of sectors, including fashion, food, drink, entertainment and gifts.

These include Marks & Spencer, Fenwicks, Browns, York Museums Trust, Pairings Wine Bar, Yorkshire Bar & Grill, Pyramid Gallery, Lush, Ambiente Tapas and Brew York. A full list can be seen on the York Gift Card website.

That makes it “the most flexible and locally sustainable present around” – and it’s available just in time for Christmas.

Easy and flexible

The York Gift Card is a preloaded Mastercard, valid for a year from the date of issue and can be redeemed in multiple transactions.

So you could spend it on meal in a cafe, then on some shopping and then on a theatre or museum trip – depending on how generous the gift!

Operations manager of York BID Carl Alsop said:

• The York Gift Card is really simple to use. Just look for the signs in the windows of shops, bars, restaurants and museums.

  This is about giving someone great choice in a gift, while making sure that your money is spent in the local economy.
  

He added that it would also be perfect for firms to give out as an employee incentive or bonus scheme.

Brian Littlejohn, deputy manager at Marks & Spencer and deputy chair of the York Retail Forum, said: “Part of the strategy of York BID and the Forum is to keep it local, and the gift card is a brilliant tool for this.

“It’s a fantastic collaboration of retailers, hospitality outlets and the BID working together for the benefit of the all – great teamwork!”

The striking artwork on the front of the card is by York artist Jonathan Williams of the Braithwaite Gallery on Low Petergate.

After the launch on Thursday (24 October) you can buy the card at York Gin on Pavement, or online here.

It will also be sold at the St Nicholas Christmas market. “Give it to friends, family members or colleagues,” said Carl.