A headteacher today backed the Southport Gift Card as a “lovely way” to shop local and thank and put a smile on the faces of teachers and staff.

The gift card from Southport Business Improvement District (BID) can be spent in over 85 amazing venues across Southport Town Centre.

And with parents’ thoughts turning to thanking their children’s teachers before the Christmas break, the gift card is not just a way of supporting local businesses but allows school staff to pick themselves the perfect present from the vast array of companies accepting the card from hotels to giftshops and jewellers to wine bars.

But arguably its biggest benefit is it takes the guesswork out of buying a gift and means that parents and carers could club together towards a joint present allowing the receiver to take a shopping trip, or maybe a meal out and some leisure time.

And Ian Parry (pictured), headteacher at Meols Cop High School in Southport, rated outstanding by Ofsted, said the gift card was a great idea.

He said: “As we approach the festive period what a lovely way to show our appreciation to our teachers whilst also investing in our local community via the Southport BID card.”

How it works

The new scheme works exactly like any other shop gift card scheme. The purchaser can pre-load from £5 up to £500 on a card that they give as a present to colleagues, friends, or family members.

The card can then be spent just like any other debit card and they can purchase from any venue accepting it and spend across as many venues as they wish.

The Mastercard-based gift card can also be used by the town centre’s many offices and companies as an incentive for employees and colleagues.

For more details and the full list of businesses accepting the card visit the Southport BID website here.

#GiveTheGiftOfSouthport