We reward a super Mi Rewards shopper!

Mi Rewards is the brand-new loyalty programme that rewards you every time you visit a participating Perth business. You’ll build up Mi Points, which earn you Perth Gift Cards, and you’ll also earn perks, prizes and random acts of kindness.

In this spirit of giving, we wanted to reward local resident Debbie Hutchison. One of our most active Mi Rewards shoppers. So we sent her a £50 Perth Gift Card to say thank you, and asked her to tell us what she loves about Perth’s independent businesses.

When we phoned to catch up with Debbie, she was just buying something in a Perth shop. We had to call her back. Now that’s what we call a great customer!

Here’s what Debbie thinks about shopping in Perth, and her favourite places to go. (We’ve put an asterisk * next to the businesses where you can earn Mi Rewards.)

Why do you like shopping in Perth?

“I find it convenient. I live in Perth and this morning I just popped down to get a few items. It’s fairly compact; I can park close to the High Street. I’ve just been to five stores and got a couple of bits in each, using my linked credit card! I’ve bought some homewares, stationery and herbal supplements, that sort of thing. Largely the range of shops is pretty good.

“I tend to drive into town. I’ve got a hybrid car these days so I can use the new electric charger in the Mill Street East car park. I find that’s handy, so I often park there and walk all around the city centre getting bits and bobs.

“I find that the shopkeepers in Perth will take time to help you. Whereas maybe in Edinburgh or Glasgow it’s so much busier and you can feel like ‘another customer’.”

Which shops and businesses do you like, and why?

“I was in Beales today – they had lured me in with an offer – and there’s a lot more there than I anticipated. I’ve got three kids at school and I was thinking, I should come here for teacher gifts and things like that. They had lots of really nicely packaged stuff for under a tenner. I might not have thought to go there for those kinds of things.

“I also like Provender Brown. I’ve known the owner, Diane, for quite a few years before she set it up, and she’s the perfect person to run that as she’s passionate about food, cooking and ingredients. That’s a nice store to go to when you’re looking for quality and something different.

“I really like Boo Vake*, too. I like the whole design flavour in there. And I like Underneath the Arches for homewares and interesting, quirky things. Silver Linings* has really nice cards and pictures, as well as jewellery; that’s a nice shop. I also like going in for a wee browse to Whispers Of The Past.

“I like going into Revival Designer Dress Agency*, because things are a one-off, with some great brands and designer names. I love the thrill of finding something in my size with a great brand name – and it’s unique. If you’re going to a function you know that if you shop at Phase Eight, there’s a good chance someone else has bought the same dress as you. So Revival is great for that uniqueness.”

Do you also like to go to the cinema, theatre and concert hall?

“Absolutely. I’m off to Perth Playhouse Cinema* tonight for the Dog Friendly Perthshire screening of 101 Dalmatians. I had been a bit sceptical at first about taking my dog to the cinema, but we went to Lady And The Tramp, and it was hilarious. The dogs reacted to the cats and dogs on the screen with barking and howling, so everyone was really laughing and connecting with each other.

“And I’m often at Perth Concert Hall*. I’m a real sucker for social media posts about acts who are coming to Perth. I was sitting at home with a glass of wine and I saw that Marti Pellow was coming to Perth, so I bought the tickets there and then! It’s the fact these acts are coming to Perth, you have to support that. And the gigs like the Big Weekend are brilliant.”

Why do you think it’s important to support Perth’s businesses?

“I’ve been involved with a local business in a different sphere and I know how important it is that people give you your custom. It is easy to go online and think you’ve got all the answers online, but with the local High Street it’s ‘use it or lose it’!”

What’s your reaction to being rewarded with a £50 Perth Gift Card?

“It’s amazing! I’m very appreciative of being rewarded. I was thinking we could go to Blend and get waffles on a Sunday, to save me cooking for the family; that would be a lovely treat! It’s good to be putting it back into a place that I love. It’s also great that I can spend the Perth Gift Card on experiences as well as on shopping, and I can treat others.”

Sign up for Mi Rewards today

Now you’ve seen all the places Debbie likes to visit, how would you love to start earning rewards and perks while you shop, see a film or concert, go for a swim or even take flying lessons?

It’s so easy to join. Just visit the Mi Rewards sign-up page, add your details and link your spending cards – and that’s it. You’ll start earning towards a Perth Gift Card, and get lots of perks along the way!

*You can earn Mi Rewards at these businesses!