Scotland Loves Local gift card to help low-income households

Published 4 November 2022

The gift card will support thousands of households across East Renfrewshire with the cost of living crisis, bringing with it a massive financial boost for local businesses, helping their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

These cards can only be used in businesses in East Renfrewshire that have joined the Scotland Loves Local scheme. The scheme aims to encourage people in Scotland to think local first and support businesses on their local high streets. Currently more than 100 East Renfrewshire retailers and restaurants are signed up and the Council is encouraging more to join in the coming months, so they can benefit from local spending.

A household will be eligible for the gift card if they are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction (as of 1 June 2022). Each eligible household will receive one £100 gift card which will be posted out automatically; there is no application process. The gift card and activation code will be posted separately from Thursday 24 November.

Scotland's Towns Partnership is the organisation behind the Scotland Loves Local campaign, from which the gift card concept has grown.

Council Leader Owen O'Donnell said: 'I am really pleased that we are able to support low-income households with this scheme. Not only will it benefit residents, but it will also boost the local economy with vital sales in the months ahead, so I'd encourage any business not already signed up, to do so. We're committed to supporting the East Renfrewshire community as we recover from the pandemic and will offer any help we can with tackling the cost of living crisis.'

Local businesses can sign up for free here: scotlandgiftslocal.com/business-sign-up Alternatively, email our Business team at business@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.