Leith digital firm serves up hospitality gift cards for traditional pubs and cafes

A digital growth services firm has launched a “buy now, use later” gift-card service for hospitality businesses currently losing revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Stampede service will allow a traditional pub or cafe with no e-commerce functionality to launch a website and accept online payments.

Leith-based Stampede has rolled out a fully managed service which will allow a traditional pub or cafe with no e-commerce functionality to launch a website, create and issue gift cards and accept online payments through fintechs Stripe and Connect.

The service is designed to be a more sustainable alternative to crowdfunding options that have proved popular during the pandemic, giving business owners a new way to boost revenues and improve cash flow, with customers able to redeem their vouchers after the shutdown ends.

Founder Patrick Clover said: “Businesses that make their money by bringing people together have been hit hardest by Covid-19 and social distancing policies.

“Many businesses are struggling to survive, and while donations via sites like GoFundMe are a great quick fix, no business owner wants to be dependent on charitable donations as their main source of income.

“We wanted to create a solution that would let people give their financial support to struggling local businesses, while empowering those businesses to start taking money again on their own terms.”

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