From Herefordshire Council:
Householders are reminded to use their prepaid shop local card before the 31st March deadline.
With funding still available from Herefordshire Council’s scheme to help local retailers recover from the pandemic, prepaid shop local cards have been topped up with an additional £10.
Nearly 60,000 households in the county applied for their shop local prepaid card. Cardholders were asked to keep their card in case of funding being available for a later top-up. The additional £10 is automatically being added to the cards, but the money still needs to be spent before the 31 March 2022 deadline.
If you have already used your card to make a purchase, it should now work contactless. If you want to check the balance (at any ATM) you will need your PIN. If you have forgotten your PIN you will need to contact 0330 808 0965.
Or if you have lost or disposed of your card, you can contact us before 21 March to request a new one at shoplocal@herefordshire.gov.uk or on 01432 260000 – you will need to provide all the details you originally applied with including your name, address and date of birth.
Residents who haven’t yet activated their card are urged to follow the activation steps using the instructions on the letter it came with, and spend their £25 before the cards expire. If you need help contact us at shoplocal@herefordshire.gov.uk or on 01432 260000.
Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for environment and economy, said: “We are delighted to be able to add an extra £10 onto each shop local prepaid card to help boost local recovery from the impact of the covid pandemic.
“We’ve had fantastic feedback from residents and businesses about the shop local scheme. There are a number of studies that show how money spent locally tends to stay local, so this scheme is not only benefitting retailers and producers, but the whole of the Herefordshire economy.
“However, this money will not be available to spend after 31 March 2022 so I urge anyone who has yet to activate their card — or who still has money left on an active card — to take advantage of the scheme now.”
The Shop Local scheme is designed to help local producers and retailers and is part of a wider £6million council programme, funded through the government’s covid recovery fund, to boost the local economy, including free weekend bus travel, grants for small businesses and a phone app to reward local shopping.
Latest figures show that cardholders have used their shop local prepaid cards in over 1,600 businesses in Herefordshire, with more than £425,000 spent, and proved to be a real benefit as they look to recover from the impact of covid.
Almost 60,000 Herefordshire households have successfully applied for their Herefordshire Council Shop Local prepaid card. This card is issued by allpay Limited on behalf of Herefordshire Council (Card Provider).
Please note the Shop Local scheme is now closed to new card applications.
Our local and independent retailers, producers and traders have had a particularly tough time during the Covid pandemic. We think giving you a little extra to Shop Local now will help kickstart the recovery.
By supporting our local shops, restaurants and businesses, we are investing in the future of the whole county. By shopping local you can make sure your money stays local – which is good for you, your community and the future of Herefordshire.
Shop Local prepaid cards have £15 on for households to spend in Herefordshire. Funds on cards need to be spent by the 31 March 2022. After this date funds will be returned to Herefordshire Council.
Please keep your card until the scheme closes on 31 March 2022. It is possible that additional money may be available to be loaded onto your card depending on scheme take up
How to activate your card
- Step 1
Sign the reverse of your card. Call allpay Customer Services on 0330 808 0102 and select option 1 and follow the instructions to activate your card.
You will need your Client ID, located at the top of the letter sent out with your card and your date of birth to activate your card. - Step 2
You will be prompted to setup a memorable 6-digit telephone access code. This is the 6-digit code that is used to access your account details on the telephone service. - Step 3
Once your card has been activated you will be given your 4-digit PIN for your card over the phone. Please ensure that you remember your PIN and keep it safe. You will need your PIN to make card purchases in shops.
If you experience any problems activating or using your card, please contact the council: Email shoplocal@herefordshire.gov.uk or call Customer services 01432 260000.
When contacting us, please ensure you provide your client ID (if you have it), the name in which the card is registered, the address and date of birth. This will allow us to process your query as quickly as possible.
Using your card
Once you have activated your prepaid card it can be used at retailers in Herefordshire displaying the Mastercard® acceptance mark. Businesses do not need to register to participate in the scheme and to date over 1,500 Herefordshire businesses have accepted Shop Local card payments.
You may be restricted from using your card for some purchases, which could include restrictions at off-licences, as well as for betting and gambling (including lottery tickets and casinos), dating and escort services, massage parlours, pawn shops and tobacco stores, counselling services, automated fuel pumps, cable, satellite, or other paid TV subscription services and telecommunication services.
Your new card allows you to make contactless transactions. Please note that the first transaction you make using your card will need be done via chip and PIN, so please ensure you know your 4-digit PIN.
The card cannot be used to withdraw cash and you will not be able to make internet purchases or transactions even if the business is based in Herefordshire.
There are no fees associated with this card and you should not be charged a transaction fee.
Card balance
If you make a transaction for less than £15 and have funds remaining on your card you should note how much this balance is. Future transactions cannot exceed the remaining balance.
You can check your balance by:
- Visiting www.allpayprepaid.net/cardholder
- Calling allpay Customer Services on 0330 808 0102
Other important information
Please keep your card safe. The e-money loaded onto your card should be treated just like the cash in your wallet.
In the event of loss or theft of the card, you are responsible for reporting this as soon as possible by calling allpay Customer Services on 0330 808 0102 and selecting the Lost & Stolen option. As soon as this is done, your card will be immediately blocked, protecting you from unauthorised usage.
You should retain safely the letter that accompanied your card for future reference. It contains important information such as your unique Client ID and terms and conditions of use which you are legally required to be aware of and apply.
Issuer statement
The allpay prepaid card is issued by allpay Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. allpay Ltd is a company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 900539) for the issuance of electronic money. Head office and registered address: Fortis et Fides, Whitestone Business Park, Whitestone, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 3SE (Company No 02933191). Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
