GIVE THE GIFT OF OVER

100 CARDIFF BUSINESSES

The Cardiff Gift Card

Give the Gift of Cardiff

The Cardiff Gift Card can be used at over 100 businesses throughout the city centre – from well-known retailers like John Lewis, Lush and Marks & Spencer to independent favourites such as Bar 44, Wally’s Deli, and Hobo’s Vintage.

Shopping and dining local has never mattered more, and our gift cards are a simple, thoughtful way to champion Cardiff’s vibrant business community. Each card is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Gift Card FAQs

WHERE TO SPEND

Your Cardiff Gift Card can be used at over 100 fantastic businesses across the city – whether you're revisiting a favourite spot or discovering something new.

Is your go-to place not on the list? Let them know about the scheme next time you're in – we’d love to welcome them on board!

Booking a table at a restaurant? Just mention you're using a Cardiff Gift Card when you reserve.

Please note: Participating businesses may leave the scheme at any time without prior notice.

AND MANY MORE…

ACCEPT THE GIFT CARD

If you are currently trying to process a gift card transaction in your business please click here for details on how to do this.

If you’re a business in the FOR Cardiff area and you can card payments then you can join the Cardiff gift card totally free of charge.  Email us on giftcard@forcardiff.com and we’ll get the process started, it’s quick and easy to get involved.

The only fees you pay are the processing fees you pay to your card provider – the same ones you’d pay for any swipe transaction.

The FOR Cardiff area is broadly the city centre – if you aren’t sure if you’re included or not check the map of the area we cover.

If you’d like to start accepting our gift card in your business, or if you have any questions about the process, drop us a line on giftcard@forcardiff.com and we’ll be happy to help!

Did you know that Cardiff has more arcades than any other city in the whole of the United Kingdom? Dating back to the 19th century, Cardiff's arcades have seen many changes - from Victoria-era shopping districts to a hub for independent business. We offer guided walking tours to explore the hidden treasures of the famous arcades, Fogo's Free Tours will guide you around Cardiff passing through Cardiff Market and the seven historic arcades. Your experienced tour guide will share facts and stories including:

  • When and why the arcades were built?

  • Stories of local businesses from the world's oldest record store to a 200-year-old Russian bear

  • Cardiff’s lost arcades

  • The dark history of Cardiff Market

  • And much more...

There will also be a short break where you will be able to purchase a snack or drink of your choice. This tour is tip-based or 'pay as you feel' and is currently only delivered in English. Tickets are available to book at www.fogosfreetours.com

  • The most common reason for cards being declined is insufficient funds. Unlike many store specific cards our gift cards only work on transactions up to the balance on the card – they will not automatically deduct their value from a more expensive transaction. For example if you want to buy a £50 item but you only have £30 on your gift card you will need to ask the cashier to put though the transaction in separate stages. It is possible that the business you are trying to spend your card in has had updated software and needs to be reconnected to our network.

    If you have an issue redeeming your card in any business please contact us by emailing giftcard@forcardiff.com and we will investigate.

  • Every business that we list in our where to spend section has formally signed up to be a part of the Cardiff Gift Card however with over 80 businesses involved and each of those businesses employing multiple staff mistakes do sometimes happen. If you’ve had an issue spending your card in one of the businesses on our list then please let us know so that we can have a chat with them and prevent this from happening again.

  • The aim of the Cardiff Gift Card is to keep money in Cardiff – to make sure that our cards do that we operate what’s called a ‘closed loop’ system. To accept our gift cards a business has to be connected to that closed loop. Any business in the city centre is welcome to accept the card but they need to formally sign up. If there is somewhere that you’d like to spend your card but can’t then why not mention it in store and encourage them to get in touch with us.

  • If your business is in the FOR Cardiff area and can accept swipe card payments then yes, you can join the scheme at no cost – click here for a map of the area we cover.

    Unfortunately, if your card terminal does not except swipe payments then for now we cannot welcome you to the scheme just yet. We are working with our suppliers to rectify this problem.

  • FOR Cardiff is the business improvement district for Cardiff city centre. We are funded by city centre businesses and we deliver a range of campaigns to improve the trading environment of the city. You can find out more about us and the wide range of work we deliver over on our main website www.forcardiff.com