We invite Lismore businesses – across retail, services, food, groceries, sports, health, culture and entertainment – to join the Loving Local Gift Cards program.
It’s free and easy to sign up, get marketing materials, and get involved in the Loving Local Gift Card network so that customers can use the gift cards at your store. There are also opportunities for the gift cards to be used for prizes, sponsorship, corporate gifts and relief support.
The community gift cards are designed to help keep money within our community by encouraging people to shop locally, and are delivered through the Why Leave Town (WLT) program.
Sign up for the Loving Local Gift Card program
Please fill out this simple application form.
More information about the program, FAQ and contact details can be found below.
How does the Loving Local Gift Card program work?
This closed-loop gift card program is based on the EFTPOS system. Once you sign up for the program and your EFTPOS terminal is actiated, you can redeem gift cards for sales in your store just like any normal EFTPOS transaction. There are no additional fees for businesses to participate, apart from your normal banking transaction fees.
Cards can be purchased in the CBD at a select number of stores that we call “Load Up Stores” (currently customers can load up gift cards at Intersport Lismore, Daleys and Shopbaby). Giftcards can also be purchased online and in bulk through the WLT website.
When a customer decides how much money to load onto the card — anywhere between $10 and $1,000 —this money can then be used to make purchases in any participating store in Lismore. You can see here an interactive map of businesses participating in the Loving Local Gift Card program.
The card will NOT be able to be used outside of the participating stores. This means that every time one of these cards is purchased, the money stays local!
The Loving Local Gift Cards are aimed at keeping money within our community by encouraging people to shop locally. Lismore City Council is collaborating with the Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry to deliver this initiative, which is run through the Why Leave Town (WLT) program.
Keen to find out more?
Here are some handy information resources.
Background information and contact
Lismore City Council launched the Loving Local Gift Card program in 2021, in collaboration with the Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The 2022 flood disaster had devastating impact across Lismore and the region, including many of the business participating in this initiative. Lismore City Council are working to support business recovery and renewal, and these gift cards are a great way to support our local businesses and community.
The Loving Local Gift Cards program is a key promotional and support campaign as part of the Business Activation Plan, funded through the Special Business Rate Variation Levy and Lismore City Council.
You can contact Council's Destination and Economy team to find out more or get involved - phone 02 6625 0500 or email business@lismore.nsw.gov.au.
