A digital gift voucher project designed to support Kenilworth independents has been given a boost by Warwickshire County Council's £80k town centres Tech Challenge fund.

The Tech Challenge fund, launched by the county council in November 2020, is supporting three digital initiatives (two in South Warwickshire, one in North Warwickshire) which will boost support for town centre businesses.

One of these initiatives is to support 'Myndy' (My Independent) which targets independent businesses in Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick.

Myndy is receiving funding of £31,600 to help speed up the development of a new digital gift voucher platform that makes it easy to create a wish list of your favourite local, independent businesses, services and trades to share with friends and family.

When a gift voucher is purchased from Myndy, the money goes directly to the local business. Gift vouchers are easily exchanged in store using the Myndy app. It's a no set-up cost, low transaction fee system, that helps local independent businesses compete with global online giants.

Myndy brings local businesses together with those who want to help keep their local business communities alive.

Unlike many other voucher schemes, almost anything can be added to a wish list, as long as it comes from a local, independent business, shop or tradesperson.

This includes services that you might not typically think of as gifts – from cleaning, gardening and decorating, to a haircut, a chiropractor or physiotherapy appointment, or simply buying someone a coffee at their favourite café.

Myndy is being developed by a small team of local creatives and developers based in Leamington. The pilot project covers Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, but the aim is to expand the project to cover independent shops nationwide.

Project lead, Liz Katz, says: "We are very grateful for this cash boost from Warwickshire County Council. We are passionate about encouraging people to keep buying and spending locally to ensure our favourite businesses make it through these extra tough times.

"Instead of an Amazon wish list, why not make a Myndy List – for birthdays, Christmas, weddings, new arrivals, friends, family or colleagues, or just to share your favourite local businesses and services in one place?"

For more information visit the Myndy website.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council and portfolio holder for economic development, said: "Businesses in our town centres were already facing difficulties before the pandemic, but now those difficulties have dramatically increased.

"We need creative solutions to help invigorate our town centres when it's safe for people to return, and to encourage online support during lockdown and beyond.

"The good news is, we have a wealth of creative digital know-how and expertise in our region, which we can harness to support of our brilliant independent businesses. I'm delighted to see projects like LYT and Myndy carving the way forward."

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