The British Independent Retailers Association is calling for the rest of the UK to follow the example set in Northern Ireland in issuing a shopping voucher to encourage high street spending
It was announced on 30 April that every adult aged over 18 in Northern Ireland will be issued with a £100 voucher to spend at ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers.
It has not been confirmed when the voucher will be issued but it is expected to be later in the summer. The announcement coincided with the reopening of non-essential retail in Northern Ireland.
Now Bira is calling for the other home nations to follow suit.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO, said: ‘This is an excellent scheme to increase spending in local communities and we would now like to see England, Scotland and Wales follow with a similar initiative.
‘Last summer, the hospitality industry had the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, now the independent retail sector needs the same support in a Shop Out to Help Out initiative.’
