Developed in association with MasterCard, the solution is based on the market-leading processing platform from Nomad, Europe's leading prepaid and debit processing solutions provider.

Nomad's CORTEX processing platform is one of the most advanced and comprehensive card payment solutions available today, and is a significant factor in the success of the project. The company's proven technology and prepaid expertise, combined with alphyra's load capability and programme experience have resulted in a powerful, yet easy-to-use, system that will be introduced throughout the nine shopping Villages in Europe managed by Value Retail.

"alphyra had some very specific requirements for this project," said John Yeomans, Chief Executive Officer at Nomad, "not least of which was the ability for the system to be implemented seamlessly throughout all the Value Retail managed Villages in Europe. The complementary expertise and skills of all the partners, together with our solid processing platform has enabled us to turn these expectations into a reality."

Starting with Bicester Village, now one of Britain's most popular shopping destinations with over 3½ million domestic and international visitors a year, the gift card will also be launched in Kildare Village in Ireland, Maasmechelen Village in Belgium and Villages in Spain, Italy and Germany later in the year.

One of the key benefits of the system is its ability to support the European roll-out. The flexibility provided by the processing platform enables alphyra to customise the programme to meet the individual requirements of each of the Value Retail managed Villages, as well as delivering a straight-forward approach to multi-currency transactions.

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

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

"The Gift Card is very easy to buy, give and use, and we are looking forward to marketing it to our customers" said Anna Keddie, the Marketing Director at Bicester Village.

Seamus Minogue, the alphyra Group's Managing Director of 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 prepaid cards. This is the first product we have developed with MasterCard and we look forward to working with them, Value Retail and Nomad again in the future."