Love Wimbledon launches London’s First Town Centre Gift Card
Wimbledon has become the first town centre in London to have its own physical and digital dedicated gift card. Led by Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District (BID), the new Wimbledon Gift Card is designed to encourage local spend in Wimbledon and provide essential support to a range of high street businesses within the community.
Since re-opening, Wimbledon has seen the return of shoppers, dining out and office workers and footfall is increasing. The Wimbledon Gift Card enables a positive addition to the town centre by promoting the depth and range of businesses to the strong community, keeping spending local and providing a very attractive gift for businesses in the region to give to their staff this Christmas and throughout the year. It is a way for businesses to invest in our area while giving their staff a breadth of choice in where and how to spend their gift card.
Many well-known brands and independents have signed up to accept the physical and digital gift cards, including independent department store Elys, clothing and gift shops, health and beauty, restaurants, pubs and theatres. It is the perfect gift that supports Wimbledon town centre.
When it comes to buying gifts, convenience is a huge factor with 1 in 3 adults said to purchase gifts based on how soon they can get them. With The Wimbledon Gift Card, the convenience is there (a click away!) and the recipient of this gift can choose the option that suits them best – with cards delivered right to their doorstep.
Helen Clark Bell, Chief Executive of Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District, said it was the perfect time to introduce the Wimbledon Gift Card:
“After such a difficult time for businesses, and as part of our longer-term strategy to ReDiscover Wimbledon, we introduced the gift card as a positive initiative for both our businesses and our community. The Wimbledon Gift Card is a gift for all – it encompasses a wide variety of businesses, including theatres, restaurants and retailers. A gift card for all ages and all interests, it supports our high street, strengthening relationships between businesses and the amazing community we are lucky enough to have in the area.”
Sarah Mackie, General Manager of participating business – the Prince of Wales pub:
“We signed up to the new card as the last 18 months have been tough and the card reflects how the business community works together here to support the town centre. It really showcases the range and best of High Street businesses in Wimbledon. I wouldn’t mind being given one myself!”
Colin Munro, Managing Director of Miconex:
“As one of the first places in the UK to launch a physical and digital gift card, Wimbledon is leading the way in the digital high street revolution. GCVA (Gift Card & Voucher Association) data shows that whilst using gift cards in-store is still the most popular way to spend a gift card for over 54.8% of people, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital gift cards too with 38.4% making the switch. 21.6% of people redeemed their gift card via mobile in 2020, almost doubling 2019 figures. The interest in shopping local isn’t waning either, with 34.3% of consumers supporting local businesses through gift cards – the highest level since May 2020.”
The Wimbledon Gift Card is available to buy online as either a physical or digital gift card, from £5 to £500. Physical gift cards are sent to the recipient by post with an optional gift message. Gift cards are 100% compostable and arrive in an envelope printed on FSC paper. Digital gift cards are sent to the recipient as a text or email, with the balance being available to add to their digital wallet, so that purchases can be made in-store directly via phone.
Wimbledon Town Centre has around 250 shops, eateries, services and cultural venues. Situated in South West London, with the internationally renowned postcode SW19, it is the economic heart of the London Borough of Merton, with some quarter of a million residents. Around 15,000 people work in the town centre, creating a thriving and popular place to visit and work.
To find out more about the Wimbledon Gift Card, please visit www.wimbledongiftcard.com
To register your business for the programme and FAQs click here.
