About the initiative

It's all about keeping shoppers in our towns

Our gift vouchers were launched in 2015 by Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade. They are a simple but effective way of keeping money flowing in the town with not only customers benefitting but our wonderful local independent businesses too.

It is free for businesses to participate, as a feature of being a Chamber member. With over 80 local companies involved the popularity in the initiative has grown and grown.

On a year by year basis, sales of gift vouchers have increased dramatically - and several times to the point of being completely sold out.

Vouchers are available to buy at selected partner outlets and can only be used in person at our participating businesses. We don't offer an online redemption option due to the complexities involved, plus we would prefer that everyone gets out there and visits our local businesses to see exactly what is on offer in the town and surrounding areas.

This is a non-profit making project. The face value of each sold voucher is underwritten by the Chamber who will exchange used vouchers to participating businesses for cash straight into their banks - that means that if you spend £100 with our vouchers, the business you have visited will receive exactly £100 as a result.

It is estimated that over £50k worth of trade has been generated from the scheme with every penny of that £50k benefitting countless of our independent businesses.

Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade has been in operation since 1945 and is run by volunteers who are passionate about shopping local, saving our high streets and celebrating everything which is brilliant about our coastal towns.

#DoMoreLocally

Facts and Figures

Peak voucher selling periods are July (for school holidays) and December (for Christmas)

Money from voucher sales is guaranteed to stay in the local area, generating extra sales for independent businesses

The Chamber makes no profit on the sale of gift vouchers, and they invest money in the production and marketing

Sales and redemptions of vouchers are rigorously checked to ensure that best practice is being followed at all times

December 2024 was the busiest selling period to date. Over £10k worth of Whitley Bay Gift Vouchers were sold, which broke all previous records. That's £10k of sales that our independent businesses may not have got otherwise

In August 2025, the design of the gift vouchers was changed for the first time to a street scene which more accurately represents the thought process behind them. But the previous versions are still 100% valid and can be spent as normal