SCOTTISH fintech firm Miconex is launching a new website that allows shoppers to support local businesses while buying gifts for loved-ones this Christmas.

The new site, Town and City, offers shoppers a large selection of city-specific gift cards for 18 locations across the UK, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Sheffield and Cambridge.

The gift cards can be spent at a wide range of participating businesses, including more than 1500 local independent shops and 170 national chains.

Colin Munro, managing director at Miconex, said: “It’s great to be launching our new website on Thursday It will make our Town and City gift cards much more accessible to shoppers across the country and will help drive even more sales for local businesses. Each card sold means a new trip into town and additional spend for town centres.”

Since the launch of the first Town and City gift card in Perth, more than 25 cities across the UK have worked with Miconex to launch their own gift card programmes.

Munro added: “We believe that our gift cards make a great alternative to gift cards from the major online retailers such as Amazon and Apple. Our cards create a more personal experience for recipients who can use them to explore their own town or city.

“We know that when people go out to spend them that they like to try new businesses and spend some of their own money as well, so it’s great for the businesses taking part.”