Darwin council’s coronavirus voucher scheme spent by shoppers in just 15 days

AFTER just 15 days, Darwin’s $300,000 voucher scheme has been used by locals and absorbed by businesses

Nguyet Vu said the MyDarwin voucher scheme helped bring customers back through her door. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

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After just 15 days, Darwin’s $300,000 voucher scheme has been used by locals and absorbed by businesses.

The MyDarwin voucher scheme, which offered up to $40 off per day for each customer across Darwin businesses has seen more than $1 million put back into the local economy from buyer’s pockets and the vouchers.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said many smaller businesses who had faced dark times prior to coronavirus had benefited from the scheme.

“The MyDarwin voucher initiative has been a phenomenal success,” he said.

“Local businesses and customers have benefited from this grassroots program that has put money right where it is needed as we recover form COVID-19.”

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Businesswoman Nguyet Vu said customers made the most of the vouchers with a mad rush on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to her Casuarina Square salons and restaurant as the kitty ran out.

“We were overwhelmed and it’s such a good initiative,” she said.

it was a nice little buffer but I think it will probably slow down.”

Ms Vu said she hoped the momentum business had gained from the scheme would be enough to get them through but would welcome a second round of the vouchers.

“Right now we’re still okay, people are getting support. I know (council) can’t support the economy forever but if they can hold off and see what the next few months will be, if things go down any injection will be fantastic.”

The $20 voucher proved the most popular voucher with more than 24,000 total vouchers redeemed by consumers.

Customers spent an average of $70 on their MyDarwin spends, with food, beverage, sport, camping hairdressing and beauty industries the most profitable under the initiative.

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