Stoke-on-Trent residents are welcoming the arrival of a new gift card for Hanley which aims to encourage local exploration and boost the local economy.

The Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Gift Card can be spent with all types and sizes of local businesses including national brands and independent businesses.

Lush, Primark, New Look, River Island, Holland & Barrett, TK Maxx, Waterstones, WHSmith are some of the national brands which accept the new gift card. Independents include Yaya's Kitchen, Drop City Books, Frank's Flowers, The Little Magic Corner Shop and Desire Cocktail Bar.

Both physical and e-card versions of the gift card are available to buy online. The e-card version can be added to digital wallets, enabling the recipient to 'tap to pay'.

Dan Baker, owner of The Little Magic Corner Shop, with the gift card (Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID).

Dereece Gardner, owner of Desire Cocktail Bar, said the new gift card will put Hanley on a level playing field with nearby towns and cities: "Desire is a luxurious cocktail bar and somewhere nice to go out in Stoke-on-Trent. When people visit, they say it feels like they're in a bar in Manchester or London. The Stoke-on-Trent Gift Card is a great idea and we're excited to be a part of it. As a gift card, it's massively appealing. You can go out for food and drinks, go shopping, all boosting the local economy.

"Local businesses need initiatives like this so we can encourage people into Hanley and put us on a level playing field with nearby towns and cities. We only opened in December so Desire is still a new business, and being a part of the gift card can encourage new customers to give us a try."

Dan Baker, owner of The Little Magic Corner Shop said the gift card can encourage a new generation of shoppers into Hanley: "There have been so many improvements in the city centre recently, and I hope the gift card encourages people to visit and support local businesses so they can see the diverse range of retailers.

"The choice aspect of the gift card is brilliant because there's nothing worse than buying someone a gift and realising they already have it, won't use it or don't like it. It takes the gamble out of buying a gift. And I think the digital version especially will give younger people a chance to experience local shopping. It was always my dream to open a business in Stoke-on-Trent and when people support my business and other local businesses, it makes the world of difference."

Vellichor Books are one of the businesses signed up to accept the gift card (Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID).

Paul Williams, lead director for place marketing at Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, said: "The gift card is already making a big impact in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre as we start to use the card within our events and activities. We now have a local option for gifts for all occasions, including organisations rewarding their staff, universities supporting students and people buying for friends and family. As every card has to be spent in our city centre, it drives footfall and locks essential spend into Hanley that would otherwise be spent elsewhere."

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