Planned Shop Local gift card will ‘go a long way in helping local businesses’

Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber and John Moran, Mayor of Limerick unveiled the plan to introduce a new shop local gift card to encourage shop local in association with local businesses

Limerick City and County Council, in partnership with Limerick Chamber, have unveiled plans to introduce a new shop local gift card in association with local businesses

The new Limerick Gift Card is set to launch before Christmas with an aim of driving footfall and spending in the city and surrounding towns in the day and night-time economy, including Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Rathkeale.

Newly elected Mayor of Limerick, John Moran outlined plans for a shop local initiative in his Mayoral Programme in August. The forthcoming Limerick Gift Card will be available as either a digital or physical gift card, with multiple benefits over paper gift vouchers, including security, friction-less redemptions and quick payment for merchants accepting the cards.

The new Limerick gift card will provide tangible investment into a number of sectors including retail, hospitality, leisure and services, benefiting both the day and night-time economy. Limerick businesses are encouraged to take part in the programme, which offers a no-commission basis.

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Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber said the Limerick Gift Card will differentiate itself from other gift cards, “A key USP of the card is the commission-free nature of it. Limerick businesses have experience of accepting the national cards that charge commission for every transaction. With the Limerick Gift Card, the business keeps 100% of the transaction, at no additional cost to the purchaser. This is a gift card purely for Limerick which can be spent only with Limerick businesses, and that sets it apart from any other gift card.

“This is a great and tax-efficient opportunity for employers in the region to support local businesses, by providing the Limerick Gift Card to their employees this year. Every transaction will go a long way in helping local businesses in Limerick.”

John Moran, Mayor of Limerick said: “The Mayoral Programme set out the plan to improve and invigorate Limerick’s shopping districts. That is exactly what the Limerick Gift Card will do, giving people money to spend with Limerick businesses, in person, driving footfall. I am calling on Limerick organisations to unite to develop the Limerick Gift Card.

“Once the Limerick Gift Card launches, organisations will have the option of a gift card for Limerick where the money stays right across the county in Limerick, benefiting local businesses. Just in time for Christmas planning.”

The Limerick Gift Card will be part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Card concept active across Ireland in Ballinrobe, Carndonagh, Drogheda, Letterkenny, Sligo and Waterford. Over €7 million Town & City Gift Cards were sold in Ireland in 2023, with around 80% of sales to organisations for staff rewards and incentives.

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, said, “It is very easy for Limerick businesses to register to accept the forthcoming Limerick Gift Card using a simple one-time registration process. As the card is Mastercard backed, businesses need no additional equipment, and it’s friction-free.”