Aberdeen Football Club has become the latest partner to sign up to accept the city’s own gift card, which can be spent on Christmas gifts in the Club Shop at Pittodrie Stadium.

The Aberdeen Gift Card is a prepaid Mastercard that can be used like a debit or credit card in retail, leisure, hospitality and other outlets in Aberdeen.

It has been developed by Aberdeen Inspired as part of a drive to encourage shoppers to visit the city,  support local businesses and boost the local economy. More than 2,500 cards, valued at more than £100,000, have already been purchased.

AFC joins more than 160 other businesses which are now accepting the Aberdeen Gift Card, ranging from local independents to High Street nationals such as Primark, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

Cards can be purchased online and redeemed in person in participating shops, restaurants, bars and salons in the city, as well as online.

Jason Hill, retail manager at Aberdeen Football Club, said: “As the city’s only club we are at the heart of Aberdeen so we are pleased to do what we can to support other local businesses in the midst of a challenging year.

“We have a huge range of gifts for Dons fans as well as replica kits and footballs so we hope this initiative will encourage shoppers to buy an Aberdeen Gift Card and shop local this Christmas, or give the card as a gift so the recipient can choose something they’d like.”

Employers can also make bulk orders of the gift card to give to their staff as a thank you for their efforts during 2020.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, welcomed AFC on board.

“We’re thrilled that Aberdeen Football Club has agreed to accept the Aberdeen Gift Card and like others which are not located in the immediate city centre, the Club’s support underlines the willingness of businesses all over Aberdeen to pull together and support each other after a turbulent 2020.

“We now have more than 160 companies accepting the gift card, which is a secure, non-contact way to give a gift voucher this year – with all the money kept in our city, supporting the local economy and jobs.

“We know Christmas will look a bit different for us all this year but together we can still spread a little festive cheer and encourage people to show their support for Aberdeen and its businesses, by buying and giving the Aberdeen Gift Card.”

Among the other retailers which are supporting the Aberdeen Gift Card is Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Centre manager Craig Stevenson said: “Bon Accord is delighted to be a part of the Aberdeen City Gift Card. This is a great example of how we can support our city centre businesses, after what has been a challenging year for many of us.

“We have had a wave of support from our retailers and sign ups to the card have been strong, with the card now redeemable at businesses in the local area including M&S, John Lewis, Topshop and The Disney Store amongst others. The Aberdeen City Gift Card can be purchased at the Information Desk on our upper mall and will make a wonderful Christmas gift for your loved one and for your city.”

The project has been supported by Aberdeen City Council, with technology provided by Scottish tech firm Miconex, through its innovative Town and City Gift Cards programme, which originated in Perth.

For more information about the city’s festive season, including the Aberdeen Christmas Market, and to buy the Aberdeen Gift Card, visit www.aberdeeninspired.com

You can buy the gift card at Bon Accord, Aberdeen right up to Christmas Eve, or purchase online at www.aberdeengiftcard.com, with a December 21 cut-off date for Christmas online sales.