Sunderland Gift Card

In November 2020, Sunderland became the first city in the North East to launch its own gift card scheme, as part of its on-going commitment to boosting the local economy.

The card enables recipients to spend the value at a range of outlets citywide, including shops, beauty salons, hairdressers, restaurants and bars. It has proved to be very popular with Sunderland residents and businesses of all sizes including a number of the city's independent businesses.

120 businesses have signed up to take part so far, with £26,441 in total gift card sales from November to December 2020 and £7,465 spent in local businesses so far. Small businesses Ibbitson's Butchers and Thoburn Fresh Produce are in the top 10 for Gift Card expenditure to date, alongside larger brands including Primark, Greggs and Marks & Spencer.

The Sunderland Gift Card is part of the Reopening High Streets Safely project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.