A new scheme is being launched in Gloucester aimed at encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses.

The GL Card is a free loyalty card, mobile app and website that replaces the popular Residents Card.

The GL Card will launch during Gloucester's Residents' Weekend on 31 March to 2 April.

Members of the scheme can use their mobile phone as a GL Card or collect a plastic contactless card and scan them at 'Touchpoint' kiosks to browse special offers near them and print out vouchers.

The GL Card can be picked up from Gloucester Tourist Information Centre and the Gloucester Quays Customer Services Desk at the end of March.

The card is then activated online via a short registration process on computers, mobile phones or tablets.

Conceived and managed by Marketing Gloucester, the GL Card is a partnership with Gloucestershire Live and tech firm Rewarding Visits.

Rewarding Visits have run the scheme successfully in Sutton Coldfield and will be launching the technology in Mansfield next week.

Guy Chatburn, of Rewarding Visits, which won a £1million Innovate UK grant to develop digital high street solutions, said: "We chose Gloucester as the partner location for the third phase of the role out of our technology, primarily because alongside a great digital infrastructure, the city had a 'can-do' organisation like Marketing Gloucester that already had the trust of a wide range number of partners throughout the city which it could rally together relatively easily in order to enable our project to happen."

Emily Knight, business support and engagement at Marketing Gloucester, said: "This is a very exciting time for Gloucester; for the businesses here, as well as the residents and visitors.

"It is great to be working in partnership with Rewarding Visits on delivering this next stage of the digital high street to Gloucester.

"The digital revolution is happening and Gloucester is a perfect testbed for new schemes and pilots.

"The app and touchpoints, which have been successful in Sutton and Mansfield and will be used in other cities, are pieces of the giant puzzle that will to enable the High Street to evolve and adapt to these digital times."

The project is supported by Eastgate Shopping Centre, Gloucester Quays, King's Walk Shopping Centre and Stagecoach West.

A large number of city centre businesses and attractions are providing special offers for Residents Weekend and ongoing offers that can be redeemed with the GL Card and the print-out vouchers.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture: Gloucester Quays