Additional time allowed for some applicants to spend high street voucher

By Q Radio News/ PA

A further extension to allow applicants to spend their high street vouchers has been welcomed.

Those eligible will be able to use their card between December 24 and January 7.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said that the High Street Scheme has been a "huge success" which "achieved what it set out to do". 

The scheme, which launched in September and closed at midnight on Sunday, 19 December, has provided a much needed economic boost to the retail, hospitality and service sectors, he said.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said that the High Street Scheme has been a "huge success" which "achieved what it set out to do". https://t.co/3dzADYKk2T

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 22, 2021

The Minister added: 

“It is clear that the scheme has been very successful. Over 1.4 million pre-paid £100 Spend Local cards were dispatched and we boosted the economy by over £137.5 million.

"The scheme also received a lot of positive feedback from a wide variety of businesses and organisations across all parts of Northern Ireland.

“I would like to thank every cardholder who spent their card with a local business. Not only have they provided support to that business, but also to their wider community through supporting local employment.”

According to an Ulster Bank Survey, retail sales in Northern Ireland rose in November for the first time in four months. Its monthly survey of private sector businesses is considered a reliable indicator of economic performance.

Its Chief Economist Richard Ramsey said the scheme undoubtedly contributed to the pick-up in demand.

(Retail sales rose here in Novermber)

A report from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) showed that Northern Ireland’s footfall in November increased by 5.6% points on the previous month.

Northern Ireland’s shop visits were 10% points higher than the UK average.

The Minister added:

“The scheme set out to support local businesses which had been hardest hit during the pandemic and it is clear, through any objective analysis, that it has undoubtedly done just that.”

A small proportion of the cards sent in the closing days of the scheme may not have been delivered in time.  

In addition, a relatively small number of others may not have an opportunity to use their Spend Local Card before the scheme ended on 19 December 2021.  

The cards delivered late include cards that have been reissued due to being lost/stolen or faulty and also those who applied late, made errors in their applications or did not respond to requests for information within the scheme’s application and verification time period.  

The cards were issued at-risk because the Department wanted to ensure the most amount of people could support local businesses and was, therefore, verifying applications up to the very last minute.

These card holders will be able to use their cards from 9am on Friday, 24 December until 11.59pm on Friday, 7 January.

The Department will be in direct contact with these applicants with further information today. 

The Department has become aware of a technical issue affecting 2,010 cards on the final weekend of the scheme.

The vast majority of these cards had less than £5 outstanding balance and 300 cards did have the full balance remaining.

It is unfortunate that these applicants were not able to support their local businesses, and the Department will also be in contact with these applicants to let them know they can also use their card from Friday, 24 December until Friday, 7 January 2022.

The Department appreciates that there may be wider issues affecting applications or the use of cards.

Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the reopening of the scheme.

“I am also seeking clarity that those who were verified but didn’t receive cards will get their card issued,” she said.

“I hope this extension will ensure that as many people have the opportunity to use their Spend Local card and support local businesses.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen also welcomed the extension.

“I have repeatedly called over the past number of weeks for an extension to the spending deadline as the issues were evident from the vast number of people contacting me who hadn’t received their card or were experiencing problems trying to use theirs,” he said.

“The announcement raises further questions however – how will the minister address individuals who have cards that do not function? How will he provide access to the Spend Local cards to the thousands who have submitted identification within the original timeline, but have still not received their cards? Clarification for those affected is urgently required.

“I emphasise that this scheme has had a very positive benefit for the local economy but wonder why, with the amount of time the minister had between the announcement and launch of the Spend Local scheme, there were so many flaws and failings?”

(Economy Minister Gordon Lyons)