alphyra, the Dublin-based specialist in pre-payments, in association with MasterCard, has developed a system for Value Retail which will begin, first, with the Bicester Village Gift Card, then, in May, ones for Kildare Village in Ireland and Maasmechelen Village in Belgium. Cards for the other Villages in France, Spain, Italy, Germany will follow later in the year.

The Bicester Village Gift Cards, which cost just £2, can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre for any amount from £10 to £1000 and are valid immediately. They can be presented at any MasterCard access point to pay for purchases up to the amount as shown and do not attract any further administrative charges.

As purchasers are required to give their name and contact details, the Gift Cards can, for a fee of £5, be replaced if lost or stolen.

The Value Retail system has been designed to take advantage of alphyra's extensive experience across 20 European countries, where national attitudes to card purchases and handling can still differ widely.

Seamus Minogue, The alphyra Group's Managing Director, Financial Services said "With our international experience and network across 20 European countries, we are well placed to introduce a range of innovative gift and pre-paid cards. This is the first product we have developed with MasterCard and we look forward to working with them and Value Retail in the future."

Also commenting on this innovative scheme, John Busby, MasterCard's General Manager for U.K and Ireland, said "we are delighted to be a partner in such a high-profile pre-paid card as it presents all three of us with further opportunities in the future."

Back at Bicester Village, its Marketing Director, Anna Keddie said "As the prime provider of luxury outlet shopping in Europe, we, at Value Retail, found it very valuable to be working on this product with two such acknowledged leaders in their own fields. The result is a Gift Card which is very easy to buy, give and use and wewe are looking forward to marketing it to all our customers."