Rutland puts trust in Visa card launch

The soon-to-be restored county of Rutland is to become the first region in England to launch its own credit card.

The 800-year-old Rutland, which will regain its county status after a 20-year battle against its abolition, has set up a deal with the Beneficial Bank. The card will be launched this week. Rutland will get 5 from the bank for each new account and 20p for every 100 spent with the card – at no expense to the cardholder.

“The Rutland Visa card will help us meet twin aims: raising our profile as a tourist destination and providing funds for local community organisations,” says a spokeswoman for the Rutland Tourist Association.

Beneficial Bank is the UK’s largest issuer of affinity cards (cards aimed at groups with similar interests). It says it will continue to support Rutland through sponsorships and joint events.

Rutland, which will be England’s smallest county, is particularly suitable for the card because of its sense of community, the tourist authority claims.

It cites a survey for the Local Government Commissioners which showed Rutland inhabitants have the most developed sense of local identity and community in the country.