Vouch for the future by supporting your local businesses

People are being encouraged to support Lancaster pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, and venues through the coronavirus pandemic by buying gift vouchers to use after the virus has run its course.

In an effort to support the hospitality and leisure industry - and its many employees - during this incredibly challenging time for the sector, Lancaster creative agency Hotfoot Design and gift voucher platform Regalo are offering free online gift voucher shops for local businesses.  

Hospitality venues and leisure destinations are able to sell gift vouchers directly to customers, in the comfort of their own homes, which are instantly delivered by email through the new gift voucher discovery website Vouch (https://www.vouchforthefuture.co.uk). 

Lancaster City Council is supporting this initiative for local businesses by adding a link to Vouch on visitlancaster.org.uk and exploremorecambebay.org.uk in the gift vouchers section. The council is also providing marketing and communications support to inform local businesses and residents. 

Local Vouch participants already include Lancaster Brewery, The Sun Hotel & Bar, Journey Social and Lancaster Escape rooms, as well as other independent businesses such as Arteria, Waterhouse and Ashton Hall Garden Centre. 

Harriet Russell of Vouch and Regalo Gifts said: "This is an incredibly challenging time for all of us, but it is particularly difficult for those working in the hospitality and leisure sector. We’re seeing such a wonderful community spirit arising across the nation in response to the virus outbreak, and we thought this is the best way we could help our local, independent businesses. Gift vouchers are something to look forward to at the best of times, but now they offer a way to support the venues and places we love when they need it most. Buy now and experience later is the message, as we encourage everyone to vouch for the future. Together we'll get through this."

Phil Simpson, director of C2 Investments, which owns Lancaster Brewery and a group of pubs and hotels in Lancashire and Cumbria said: "Lancaster has faced many challenges in its 1000 year history but none of them have ever hit with such speed or caused such a fundamental shift in our behaviour as this COVID-19 crisis.  Nevertheless, hardy ancient cities will always rebound and part of the Lancaster revival will be local people focusing more of  their spending on local businesses. This gift voucher represents a first step to creating self-perpetuating growth in Lancaster's economy, encouraging the green shoots of local recovery. It's a brilliant idea and I hope the people of Lancaster heartily embrace it."

When buying a gift voucher people are also given the option to donate to Hospitality Action, the charity that offers support services to people that work in the hard-hit hospitality sector.

Businesses can sign-up for free to sell their gift vouchers through https://Vouch.gifts/future. 
 
Follow #vouchforthefuture on social media for updates on the latest local businesses offering online gift vouchers and visit Vouch.gifts for more information.

Last updated: 26 March 2020