The East Ayrshire Gift Card Turns Five - Celebrating Five Years of Supporting Local..

East Ayrshire Council is proud to mark the 5th anniversary of the East Ayrshire Gift Card, a local initiative that has transformed the way residents shop, dine, and experience their communities. Since its launch in August 2020, the gift card has become a cornerstone of local economic support, with over 230 businesses now registered to accept it—from independent boutiques and cafes to leisure centres and national retailers

To celebrate this milestone, the Council is rolling out a series of exciting campaigns across social media, including on the East Ayrshire Gift Card Facebook page, where residents can find updates, stories, and ways to get involved.

The Great East Ayrshire Gift Card Giveaway

In partnership with the Kilmarnock Business Association and the Cumnock Business Association, East Ayrshire Council is launching the Great East Ayrshire Gift Card Giveaway—a two-week competition designed to reward customers and boost local business engagement.

Participating businesses will receive a bundle of promotional materials, including gift cards with QR codes. Customers who scan these cards will instantly find out if they’ve won one of the fantastic prizes:

• 1 x £300 East Ayrshire Gift Card
• 20 x £20 East Ayrshire Gift Cards
• Complimentary free postage on selected gift card purchases

This initiative not only celebrates the success of the gift card programme but also reinforces the Council’s commitment to supporting local businesses and encouraging community wealth building.

Find out more here: The Great East Ayrshire Gift Card giveaway competition | East Ayrshire Gift Card | Engagement East Ayrshire

Social Media Support for Businesses

To help businesses make the most of the campaign, East Ayrshire Council has created custom social media content for every registered business. These assets are designed to help promote participation in the giveaway and drive customer engagement.

Businesses are asked to submit their contact details via a short survey so the Council can send them their tailored content. Join our mailing list and receive your free customised promotional materials here: Join for our mailing list! | Engagement East Ayrshire

A Proven Success Story

The East Ayrshire Gift Card has been widely praised by local businesses and residents alike. It operates as a closed-loop Mastercard, ensuring that money spent stays within the community

The initiative has been so successful that it has been replicated across Scotland, with East Ayrshire Council and the Kilmarnock Business Association receiving the Judges’ Special Award at the Scotland Loves Local Awards in 2021

As we celebrate five years of local impact, East Ayrshire Council invites everyone to take part in the festivities, support local businesses, and continue making East Ayrshire a vibrant place to live, work, and shop.

Not registered to accept the gift card yet? Any business in East Ayrshire that has a merchant terminal can sign up to accept the gift card – it is FREE to be part of the programme and you can sign up here: Registration Form