The £1,000,000 mark has been passed by the pioneering Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) “Love Bedford” gift voucher scheme.

The scheme, unparalleled by other “buy local” campaigns across the UK, puts  local cash back into local tills - so supporting the county town centre.

Director Christina Rowe said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the BedfordBID which has led the way where other BIDs now follow. This is a real and tangible benefit, particularly to small local independents who can benefit from this money going into their tills when they are excluded from national vouchers. People have been buying them as gifts, particularly at Christmas of course, and companies buy them as rewards for staff or clients.

“We have to thank Bedford College for showing support for the town centre by buying only Love Bedford vouchers for staff and students each year. The contribution of the college, which is also a BID levy payer, has shown a real commitment to the town centre community.”

Bedford College CEO and Principal Ian Pryce CBE said: “Our riverside campus is a critical part of the town centre. We have supported the BID's voucher scheme since it started in 2007 and are continuing to do this Christmas with more than £60,000 worth of voucher purchases. We are recycling tax payers’ money into local business tills.”

Love Bedford vouchers are now available on-line at www.lovebedford.co.uk 

Love Bedford gift vouchers are redeemable at 270 shops, restaurants and businesses in the BID zone of Bedford. The businesses received the full face value of the voucher and for many they are a lifeline in the quiet months of January and February when people spend them after Christmas.

“Businesses can follow the example of Bedford College by rewarding staff with Love Bedford vouchers - particularly now under the new ‘trivial benefits’ exemption. They can be used to buy pre-Christmas meals for instance, or spent in the New Year sales,” added Christina.