LISTEN - High Street voucher scheme opens for applications

By Q Radio News

Northern Ireland's High Street voucher scheme opens to the public today.

The £145m programme will offer pre-paid cards worth £100 to all over-18s and the first cards will be issued on the 4th of October..

It aims to help those businesses in retail and hospitality which were hit by the pandemic.

Registration is through an online portal or by phone - but Economy Minister Gordon Lyons last week urged people not to rush to register on the first day:

Retail NI Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts said:

“If people can wait a few days before making their application, hopefully we can avoid any delays or problems with a rush on the online portal and they will receive their voucher on a timely basis”

“With a scheme of this ambition and size we are bound to experience some problems and would urge shoppers to be patient"

“As the scheme opens and consumers are thinking about how to spend their voucher, we would strongly encourage them to use with local independent retailers. 70p in every £1 pound spent with an independent retailer is recycled around the economy, supporting local producers and manufacturers”