Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber have launched their new high-tech gift card, a replacement to their paper vouchers which have generated millions of euros in sales since 2008.
Over 100 businesses are registered so far to accept the new Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Gift Card, including shops, eateries, salons, venues and services.
Available as either a physical card – a prepaid Mastercard that is swiped at the till – or a digital e-card that is added to digital wallets enabling ‘tap to pay’ technology.
The card is available to buy online or in person from the Dungarvan Tourist Information Office on Main Street and from Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber at The Courthouse, Dungarvan.
Organisations benefit from a new corporate ordering site, with the ability to order cards in chosen denominations and quantities with secure delivery. Digital Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Gift Cards can be sent to multiple employees on the organisation’s chosen date or time.
Businesses in Dungarvan and West Waterford are welcoming the arrival of the new card.
Karen Stack from Dungarvan Golf Club said: “Dungarvan Golf Club has over 850 members and is the biggest golf club in the area. Many members would receive the paper vouchers as a Christmas gift or bonus from work, which they could put towards their membership and enjoy it for the whole year. It makes a golf membership accessible to a range of people.
“I think the benefit of the new Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card is that it will be more user friendly for all. I like the fact that it’s easy to check the balance on the card – unlike other gift cards like One4All. People can keep their physical Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card in their wallet or purse or the digital version in their digital wallet, and this will encourage spending. I think it’s a fantastic initiative for the town and we’re lucky to have it.”
Hospitality businesses including cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars also accept the card.
Vincent Pettit from 360 Cookhouse commented: “Our business comprises a catering company, accommodation and our popular restaurant on Castle Street. The paper vouchers have been a huge success story in Dungarvan. We accept lots of gift cards and vouchers but people really prefer the local option. As a business that sees lots of summer trade, people often spend the vouchers they’ve had for Christmas in the first 3 months of the year and it makes a massive difference to our business, helping us stay open year round.
“As a busy restaurant, the ease of redemption of the new Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card is critical for us, and will be far easier than the paper vouchers. The new card will also be more customer friendly as they can spend it across multiple outlets with the card balance automatically updated, so they’re not losing out on change. This will spread the benefit of the initiative to more businesses in Dungarvan, bringing people through the door with money to spend that the business has the chance to convert into regular customers. The customer wins and the business wins.”
Helen Barron from Helen’s Lingerie adds: “Our Chamber is amazing, they are always striving to develop new initiatives. The paper vouchers have been successful at keeping a huge volume of money in Dungarvan. I think the new Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card will be a very helpful development and will have great appeal to a wide range of people, including the younger generation. Whether people spend their card with me or another business, it’s all money that is staying in the town, and we all benefit.”
Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber CEO, Jenny Beresford, said the upgrade to a physical and digital card builds on the success of the paper programme: “Moving away from paper to a card system is something businesses and consumers have requested for some time. Having the dual physical and digital aspect is vital because digital is how people are paying now and by moving with the times, we have a future proofed gift card suitable for this generation and the next.
“We’re fortunate to have the Small Benefit Exemption in Ireland which allows organisations to gift employees up to five small non-cash benefits each year, up to the value of €1,500. And by choosing the Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card their one gift supports up to 1000 jobs in our local area. The simplicity of the card will be beneficial for all, and with Christmas on its way, what better way to show your support for Dungarvan and West Waterford than buying the card for gifts, rewards and incentives.”
Colin Munro is the CEO of Miconex and said: “The new Dungarvan & West Waterford Gift Card represents the next phase of growth for the initiative and will take ‘shop local’ to the next level in Dungarvan and West Waterford.”
The new gift cards are available from the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Office, First Floor, The Courthouse Building, Bridge Street, Dungarvan and the Dungarvan Tourist Office, Main Street Dungarvan. Also online at www.dungarvanchamber.ie
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