Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 24°CMonday 16°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
BusinessDerry CityNews

High street cards deadline extended by two weeks

written by cassoscoop November 2, 2021
ShareTweet

THE deadline to use the £100 Spend Local cards has been extended by two weeks to Tuesday, December 14, DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has told the Assembly.

The £145m scheme was set up by the Executive to boost activity for bricks and mortar shops hit by the pandemic.

Applications for the scheme opened on 27 September and closed on 25 October.

The minister had said he hoped everyone would have received their cards by today so they have four weeks to spend them by the 30 November deadline.

Mr Lyons said: “To date, more than one million cards have been dispatched. Over 580,000 of these have been activated.

“Over £26.5m has now been injected into our local economy.”

Some 1.43 million applications have been made for the card, which would suggest about 400,000 people are still waiting for their cards.

That is why the deadline to use the card is being extended.

The minister continued: “It remains the case that most people have four weeks to spend their card, but I recognise that this will not be the case for everyone.”

“Therefore in order to offer these applicants a fair timescale to use their card, I can today announce that I am extending the deadline to use the Spend Local cards by two weeks – from November 30 to December 14,” he added.

He said the extra two-week period will also allow card holders who have some balance left on their card, no matter how small, to spend it in local businesses.

The reason why the timing of the scheme is so important is to ensure it has the biggest economic impact.

There had been concerns that as the peak Christmas shopping window approaches, people would choose to use their card at a time when they would normally be out spending anyway.

For some people, it could displace that spending, rather than acting as an additional injection of cash into the local economy.

The deadline to apply for a card passed last week, but did not apply to those who have been asked to upload further information to verify their identity.

On Monday it emerged that an investigation had been launched after a “small number” of high street voucher cards were declined when people tried to pay with them.

A number of people in Derry reported that over the weekend their cards were declined when they went to use them in shops in the city.

Stormont’s Department for the Economy said it was trying to find out what had gone wrong.

The department said there was no indication the transactions were declined by the card provider.

A department spokesperson said if there is a fault with the card people should contact the card provider.

Customer Service details are provided on the card.

High street cards deadline extended by two weeks was last modified: November 2nd, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
1.43 million applicationsDEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMYDerry CitydupEconomy Minister Gordon LyonsHigh street cards deadline extended by two weeksHigh Street Voucher Schemespend localTuesday December 14
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Charles Dooher murder bid: Man arrested in...

24 hours ago

The LYCRA Company staff excited to continue...

24 hours ago

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

2 days ago

Man to face Derry court over cannabis...

2 days ago

Man arrested in Derry after 120 cannabis...

3 days ago

Derry Labour Market Partnership celebrate success of...

3 days ago

Savour the best of the North West...

3 days ago

Bin collections and Recycling Centres operate as...

3 days ago

Finance Minister visits sites of Derry Strabane...

3 days ago

Durkan: We need to get serious about...

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy