A recent change in legislation means Bedford employers can give staff members £50 worth of benefits free of tax and National Insurance.

The exemption means that businesses could buy each employee a £50 Love Bedford Voucher as Christmas gift which they could use in a choice of 275 restaurants, retailers or service companies in the town centre.

“This is Christmas come early for businesses and employees and for our town as one of our £50 Love Bedford Voucher counts as an ‘trivial’ benefit,” said BedfordBID Director Christina Rowe,

“An individual could use the vouchers for hair or a makeover, buy a Christmas outfit or a group could get together and use their vouchers towards an office party or dinner.

“An easy way for employers to make the most of this scheme is to contact us at the BedfordBID to buy vouchers as soon as possible so we can keep up with demand.”

*The Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) voucher scheme will reach is £1 Million mark this Christmas with £1,000,000 having been put directly into the tills of local businesses. 

“No other BID in the UK has such long-standing and successful system for recycling money into local companies. National vouchers schemes do not benefit independents who are not entitled to join such schemes.”

Love Bedford Vouchers can be bought on line via www.lovebedford.co.uk or at the counter of the Bedford Swan Hotel or Arcadia Sweetshop in the Edwardian Arcade.

Government Tax Rules

• Up and to including a £50 valued voucher per employee.
• The voucher cannot be redeemed for cash.
• The benefit is not provided as part of a salary sacrifice.
• Further details and qualifying conditions available from HMRC. The BID accepts no responsibility for incorrect usage of the scheme.