Ten years after it was launched as a paper voucher for shopping locally, the Tullamore QUIDs initiative is to be offered as a high-tech physical and digital gift card.

Tullamore Chamber said that over €3m in paper vouchers have been sold in the decade since the shop local initiative began.

The forthcoming Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card has been funded by Tullamore Chamber with support from the Offaly Local Development Company and Tullamore Credit Union, and will replace the paper voucher system in operation previously.

The Chamber said businesses which currently accept the paper voucher, and new customer-facing businesses in Tullamore including shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and services, are eligible to accept the forthcoming Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card.

Tullamore Chamber representatives will be visiting businesses this month to register merchants to the new gift card.

Once launched, the Mastercard backed card is designed to work through existing payment terminals, with no additional equipment required. There will be zero commission for Tullamore businesses to accept the Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card.

Organisations wishing to purchase either physical or digital Tullamore QUIDs Gift Cards for Christmas rewards in line with the Small Benefit Exemption can pre-order cards ahead of the launch in early December.

Physical cards are delivered direct to organisations, with digital cards delivered to each employee on a specified date and time. Digital cards can be added to digital wallets, enabling ‘tap to pay’ technology, while physical cards will also be tokenisable.

Tullamore Chamber president Caroline Collins-Murphy said: "Once launched, the Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card will streamline ‘shop local’ in Tullamore, which will benefit businesses accepting the cards, customers spending the cards and organisations using the cards as employee rewards.

"Businesses redeeming the gift card will be paid quickly with no requirement to bring paper vouchers for reimbursement.

"We're fortunate to have many organisations in Tullamore who purchase the paper vouchers. The new card will offer enhanced choice for employees and improved ease of use in purchasing and spending, and we encourage all organisations to pre-order their Christmas staff rewards now."

Roisin Lennon CEO at Offaly Local Development Company, said: “Offaly Local Development Company is delighted to support the Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card, with funding through the RDP LEADER programme helping to bring this initiative to life.

“We play a vital role in supporting local enterprise and strengthening communities, and Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card is a great example of how targeted support can create positive opportunities for local enterprises and the wider community.”

Caitriona Lawlor, Member Engagement Controller at Tullamore Credit Union, added: “As a community-focused organisation, Tullamore Credit Union is proud to support Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card, and the positive impact it can have across our community.

“By encouraging people to shop locally, the initiative helps support local businesses, strengthen the economy, and keep money circulating within our community.”

Once launched, the Tullamore QUIDs Gift Card will be part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Cards initiative which is active across Ireland. Over €17.4 million in Town & City Gift Cards sales were achieved across its network in 2025, driving an estimated 335,000 visits to Irish towns and cities this year.

https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2026/10/21/tullamore-quids-goes-digital-2/