The British Independent Retailers Association is calling for England, Wales and Scotland to follow the example set by Northern Ireland in issuing a shopping voucher to encourage high street spending.
It was announced on Friday (April 30) that every adult over 18 in Northern Ireland would be issued with a £100 voucher to spend at ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers.
It has not been confirmed when the voucher will be issued but it is expected to be this summer. The announcement coincided with the reopening of non-essential retail in Northern Ireland.
Now Bira is calling for the other home nations to follow suit.
CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “This is an excellent scheme to increase spending in local communities and we would now like to see England, Scotland and Wales follow with a similar initiative.
“Last summer, the hospitality industry had the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, now the independent retail sector needs the same support in a Shop Out to Help Out initiative.”
Bira is the patent organisation of the Pet Product Retail Association.
