The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling for England, Wales and Scotland to follow the example set in Northern Ireland in issuing a shopping voucher to encourage high street spending.

Friday 30 April saw the announcement that every adult over 18 years old in Northern Ireland will receive a £100 voucher to spend at bricks and mortar retailers.

It has not yet been confirmed when the voucher will be issued. However, expectations are that it will be later in the summer. The announcement coincided with the reopening of non-essential retail in Northern Ireland.

Bira is now calling for the other home nations to follow suit.

Commenting is Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO. “This is an excellent scheme to increase spending in local communities. We would now like to see England, Scotland and Wales follow with a similar initiative.

“Last summer, the hospitality industry had the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Now the independent retail sector needs the same support in a Shop Out to Help Out initiative.”

For further information on Bira, please click here.