Bournemouth’s new gift card scheme has officially gone live.

Holders of the card will now be able to use the card to spend in the town’s shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and leisure venues.

So far more than 60 businesses are participating in the scheme and more are signing up every day.

The Bournemouth Town Centre Gift Card works in the same way as a shopping centre or department store gift card but can be used across Bournemouth town centre.

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

The scheme is the initiative of the Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which will make it so easy for cardholders to enjoy the Bournemouth shopping experience.

“The gift card is a great present for any occasion and it also means the money is spent supporting local businesses and the economy.

“It is a great community initiative emphasising how important our town centre is.”

Martin Davies, BID Chairman, said 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.

He added: “The scheme is a significant boost for the fantastic businesses that help make Bournemouth the great place it is.”

Cardholders can use their card towards the full or part cost of a purchase and can also make up the balance with another form of payment if there is not sufficient money left on the card. There is no chip and pin, the card is simply swiped through a card machine by the retailer.

A click and collect scheme will enable purchasers to buy online and then pick up the cards at a number of locations including the Beales customer service desk, Yellow Buses travel shop in the town centre, and the Daily Echo reception on Richmond Hill.

Parents of students at Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth are being encouraged to purchase the gift card for their offspring to give them a helping hand at the start of the new academic year.