A new gift card that can be spent like a debit card in shops, restaurants and leisure venues is to be launched in the city.

Brilliant Brighton, a not-for-profit organisation formed of more than 500 city centre businesses, has unveiled its plans for the Brighton Gift Card.

It is collaborating with Tillo, a rewards and incentives platform based in the city which will connect customers to their favourite businesses using the new digital gift cards.

The Brighton Gift Card will be launched later this month and will work through the Mastercard system with all types and sizes of businesses in The Lanes, North Laine, East Street, North Street, Preston Street and Western Road.

No additional equipment is required.

“A gift card that represents Brighton is something we’ve wanted to introduce for some time,” said Gavin Stewart, chief executive of Brilliant Brighton.

“Brighton has an amazing array of national and independent businesses creating an experience that just isn’t available anywhere else. The Brighton Gift Card will essentially be like our own currency and a celebration of all that is unique in our city.

“The gift card is a way that we can give back to our businesses in Brighton by encouraging local spend. It will also drive tourism and be a way that employers in the area can reward and incentivise their staff.”

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Around £5.6 billion is spent on business-to-business gift cards annually in the UK and this is growing year on year so Brilliant Brighton and Tillo think this gift card is an opportunity for the city’s businesses to get a slice of these profits.

Alex Preece, chief executive and co-founder of Tillo, said: “Usually there is no way for small independent businesses to work with big brands but the Brighton Gift Card gives them a way to do just that. 

“Brighton is a big city which offers a unique lifestyle and has had an influx of new residents and new investment. It is time for us to have our own gift card so we can drive more revenue locally and make our city the best it can be.”

Once launched, both physical and digital versions of the Brighton Gift Card will be available.

Brighton businesses are being asked to sign up and can do so free here: https://form.jotform.com/Miconex/brighton-gift-card-