Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID is delighted to announce a brand-new loyalty scheme is coming to the city centre in the new year that will see people rewarded – just by spending in their favourite shops, cafés and bars.  

The MiRewards scheme is free and easy for consumers to get involved with as there is no physical loyalty card or smart phone app required, and registration can be completed in a matter of minutes in advance of the January launch, here: https://mi-rewards.com/sign-up  

To access incredible benefits, such as entries to monthly prize draws, exclusive and priority access to city centre events, half price local activities and 2-4-1 on meals out, customers need only simply create a MiRewards account online and link their chosen existing debit or credit card.   

All purchases using these registered payment cards at businesses that are signed up to the MiRewards scheme are tracked automatically and one point is earnt for every pound spent, whether it’s dining at The Quarter or Esquires Coffee, shopping at Goodwins Jewellers, Vision Personalised Gifts or Stoke City Football Club, or enjoying experiences at XP-VR Virtual Reality or stays at the new Hilton Garden Inn.  

For every ten points collected at registered businesses, the Mi Rewards customer is automatically entered into a monthly prize draw to win big: January’s prize is worth £300 and is THE ULTIMATE FOODIE PACKAGE where one lucky winner can enjoy a £25 voucher for TWELVE city centre restaurants – so they can eat out and support local eateries EVERY MONTH in 2021!  

However, as a pre-launch special offer, individuals who create a MiRewards account before 23:59pm on Sunday 20 December will automatically receive 100 points with no spend required – that’s ten entries into a prize draw to win an early bird prize; the ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS HAMPER from Marks and Spencer, worth over £200. The hamper is crammed full of the best of Marks & Spencer’s Christmas range, including Magnum Prosecco, Rosé, Port, White Wine, Assorted Cheeses, Panettone, Luxury Biscuits, Light-up Candle, Shortbread House, Box of Chocolates, Biscuits for Cheese, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake, After Dinner Mints, Amaretti Biscuits and Nuts.  

Jonathan Bellamy, Chairman of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, says:  

"Loyalty is one of the most important attributes for a strong community, and never more needed than in our day and age. Hundreds of city centre businesses and thousands of local jobs are battling for their future, and they depend on local people to use their services and buy from them.   

“With this in mind, this is the perfect time to launch a brand new loyalty scheme, through which local people can actively show that they support our city centre businesses. But more than that, it's also an exceptional scheme that offers incredible rewards for people's loyalty! It's win-win!"  

Josef Bailey, owner of the QUARTER on Piccadilly, is pleased to be supporting this new initiative for the city centre:  

“Having looked into the success of the MiRewards scheme in other cities we felt it was a no brainer to sign up and get involved. In the current climate anything we can all do to help bring people through the doors and give a little back to them is most definitely a positive action.    

“Whether you’re popping in for coffee and cake, enjoying a few cocktails, or enjoying a three-course slap-up meal with us, every purchase will earn you those all-important MiRewards points that will give you the chance to win big.”  

Sue Goodwin, owner of Goodwins Jewellers on Hope Street, is also backing the loyalty scheme:   

“We’re really excited to be giving out MiRewards points to our lovely customers. We think it’s a great scheme to encourage people to be more mindful of supporting the local high street and the great thing about Mi Rewards is that you don’t have to remember to show a loyalty card and you don’t need an app. You simply need to pay with your debit or credit card as usual and it all happens behind the scenes.  

“You’ll see a sticker in our window to let people know that they will receive Mi Points when shopping with us.”  

Richard Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID Manager says:  

“The business community in the city centre has grown from strength to strength over the last few years, but it still needs the general public’s help and support to continue this momentum, particularly due to the pandemic and its effect on the economy.  

“The MiRewards scheme really underlines the importance of shopping locally and supporting your own high street, and the best thing? People are getting rewarded to do it too – so there’s never been a better time to get out, shop, dine and drink in our city centre.”