Sunderland BID has always been at the core of trailblazing initiatives across the city centre, from introducing Sunderland’s celebrated Restaurant Week to its app with its ever-changing AR trail.

It was back in 2020 however that arguably one of its most game changing schemes was introduced – and one that continues to go from strength to strength.

Sunderland Gift Card was the creation of the BID, aimed at encouraging people to give recipients choice and support the local economy at the same time.

The scheme has been a huge success, with more than 200 businesses – from high street names to independent operators – all signed up to accept the cards.

With Christmas just around the corner, the BID is also now keen to flag up to companies and organisations which are thinking of ways to reward their staff to consider the gift card – which comes with a whole host of extra benefits.

Thanks to the Government’s trivial benefits scheme, a company can give their staff a non-cash reward of up to £50 with no tax or national insurance implications.

The limit is also per gift rather than per year, so that anyone who wants to give a thank you to an employee for a job well done or for any other reason can do without any fear of penalisation.

The Sunderland Gift Card falls into this non-cash reward category, making it a great choice for businesses across Wearside – and beyond – to use it as a token of appreciation.

It’s a scheme that a number of companies took advantage of last year – and Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID is hoping that even more will buy the cards this time round.

“There are so many advantages of giving someone a Sunderland Gift Card,” she said.

“Firstly you’re giving someone a choice so they can spend it on something that they really want. If you have a number of employees it’s virtually impossible to give a gift that everyone will want, so it makes sense to let them pick something for themselves.

“At the same time this is a brilliant way of supporting local businesses and the local economy by spending the cards in Sunderland.”

There’s no shortage of choices for recipients – from retailers in the Bridges through to restaurants and even hotels.

For businesses cards given out during the festive season are often spent in the early months of the new year – a welcome income stream at a time of year when spending is notoriously low.

Gift cards can be purchased via www.sunderlandgiftcard.com or at physical sales points including the Bridges, Museum and Winter Gardens and Houghton and Washington libraries.

The gift card can be purchased as a digital download which can be delivered directly to the recipient’s device wallet.

Businesses needing any more information can email [email protected] or call 0191 722 1002.