The innovative new Bournemouth Town Centre Gift Card is proving a huge hit.

The card was launched in October and £6,000 worth of spend has been purchased already.

Consumers can spend in scores of the town's shops, restaurants, cafes, leisure and beauty venues, on bus travel and in a host of other retail outlets and salons using the special pre-paid card.

It works in the same way as a shopping centre or department store gift card but can be used right across the town centre.

Purchasers simply choose how much they want to pre-load onto the card and then give it to family, friends or a colleague to spend as they wish.

The card, which is the initiative of the Bournemouth Town Centre BID is designed to support the high street and keep spend local.

Town Centre BID business liaison officer, Lucinda Ackerley, said: “The scheme has really captured the public imagination.

“We are delighted to see it being so well supported and ensuring that spending is locked into the town centre.”

She added: “It is doing exactly what it is designed to do and that’s fantastic. I hope we will see even more success early in the New Year. Word is most definitely spreading.”

Sales of the gift card will be one of the BID’s key priorities in 2020.

◾️A list of businesses taking part in the scheme can be found on the gift card directory website at www.bournemouthgiftcard.co.uk