December marked the initiative’s highest-ever sales figures, with January following as its strongest month for redemptions – reflecting growing recognition of the card as a simple, scalable tool for driving footfall to Bristol’s shops, restaurants and cultural venues.
Love Bristol Gift Card - Press Releases - Promoting
Love Bristol Gift Card celebrates three years with record growth and £180k+ in local spend
Teacher gifting trend helps drive momentum as card expands to 190+ citywide venues
26/06/2025
The Love Bristol Gift Card is celebrating its third anniversary with a powerful show of support for the city’s economy – topping £184,000 in total sales since launch and delivering over £21,000 in local reinvestment in just the first half of 2025.
Developed by Bristol’s three central Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the Love Bristol Gift Card has become a cornerstone of the city’s place-based economic strategy. Its recent expansion to include more retailers at Cabot Circus and the onboarding of key cultural destinations such as St George’s and Bristol Beacon significantly broadens its reach, reinforcing its position as a city-wide initiative.
This evolution comes at a pivotal moment, as the ballot for a single, unified Bristol BID is now open – highlighting a collective ambition to streamline efforts and amplify the impact for local businesses.
With the end of the school year approaching, the Love Bristol Gift Card is also seeing a surge in use as a thoughtful thank you gift for teachers – combining personal sentiment with practical impact. Easily purchased online or via the group-gifting platform GiftRound, the card is accepted at over 180+ venues across Bristol, including independent retailers, national brands, theatres, galleries and live music spaces.
Steve Bluff, Director of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said:
"In just three years, the Love Bristol Gift Card has proven to be much more than a present - it’s a real investment in the cultural and commercial fabric of our city. It keeps money circulating locally, strengthens independent businesses and showcases what makes Bristol vibrant and unique."Bristol businesses can still join the scheme, and residents can purchase the card online from just £5, here.
