An historic Southport pub is inviting people to support Southport Gift Card.
The Windmill, on Seabank Road in Southport town centre, is one of the oldest pubs in the region, serving customers since the 1800s.
Landlords Neil Walsh and Tom Hodgin are currently working hard to get the venue into top condition before they reopen it this May.
They are keen to see local people support the Southport Gift Card initiative, which was launched by Southport Business Improvement District (Southport BID) last year as a way of encouraging people to spend local.
The Windmill landlord Neil Walsh said: “Yes we do accept the Southport Gift Card.
“It’s great because it means that people who buy it will be spending the money locally supporting many small businesses!
“It’s something more versatile than a generic voucher for just one shop.”
The Windmill is fast becoming renowned for its top quality food after being taken over a couple of years ago by professional chef Neil Walsh and his partner Tom Hodgin.
The new landlords are both in their 20s and they are delighted to be gaining a great reputation already at their new venture.
They haven’t wasted a second during the latest Covid lockdown, using the time to carry out a £15,000 revamp of the venue with new-look seating inside, improvements to the kitchen, and brand new outdoor furniture – perfect for when visitors return to enjoy the sunshine in the famous Windmill beer garden this May.
Southport Gift Card was launched last year as a way of giving a boost to our local economy while encouraging people to spend local.
Over 80 Southport town centre retailers, restaurants, cafes, bars and leisure venues have already signed up to accept the brand-new Southport Gift Card, with more added each week.
The card is ready to be spent in high street favourites such as M&S, The Entertainer, Flannels and Sports Direct plus dozens of popular independent favourites such as Volare, Reputation, Tap & Bottles and Over The Moon kids boutique.
Setting up is easy and is a great way of encouraging people to support the many great places that we have here.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “I am absolutely delighted that so many retailers, venues, cafes, restaurants, attractions and other service businesses have signed up and see the value of the Southport Gift Card.
“Please help us to spread the word!”
As businesses reopen after the Covid lockdown, it is more important than ever for people to ‘shop local’, ‘spend local’ and support our local businesses.
The new scheme works exactly like any other shop gift card scheme. The purchaser can pre-load from £5 up to £500 on a card that they give as a present to colleagues, friends or family members. The card can then be spent just like any other debit card and they can purchase from any venue accepting it and spread their spend across as many venues as they wish.
The Mastercard-based gift card could also be used by the town centre’s many offices and companies as an incentive for employees and colleagues.
Southport BID has partnered with Miconex to deliver the pre-payment gift card with the aim to have it accepted in over 150 stores, hospitality venues or attractions. Similar town gift cards across the country have seen tens of thousands of pounds kept in the local economy a year.
- The Windmill pub is at 12-14 Seabank Road, Southport town centre. For more details please email them at: info@thewindmillsouthport.co.uk or find The Windmill – Southport on Facebook or thewindmillsouthport on Instagram.
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