Member Article

North Yorkshire towns get a free boost for business

From 31st August, independent shops and businesses operating in the five North Yorkshire towns of Northallerton, Harrogate, Thirsk, Pickering, and Selby will get a big boost.

Thanks to York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, ShopAppy.com comes free for 12 months to your High Street! And there are big prizes for local customers who sign up (free) during the first week.

Since full lockdown, most UK shops are now open for business. However, three in five (61%) of us feel less comfortable shopping in store than before lockdown and 18% of people are not keen to return to small High Street businesses until a vaccine is developed.

Enter ShopAppy, an award-winning initiative and platform created to give small independent businesses an easy, effective way to operate and compete with online retail giants. It was founded by long-time independent business champion, Dr Jackie Mulligan and is supported by VISA.

ShopAppy provides a collective online shop window for every member town and village, encouraging customers to browse and visit, book, or buy with easy click and collect after hours and home delivery.

The platform is not just about shops. ShopAppy can help services, trades, B2B businesses, chefs, pop-ups, entertainers, and market stalls with bookings, click and collect, home delivery and can host virtual events to support local artists and producers to secure wider engagement.

ShopAppy is already established in 150 UK towns and growing rapidly. There are reports of sales increases of 82% in some member businesses. The platform gives local businesses the tools to fight back with an effective and engaging online presence – increasing (digital) footfall and spend. It is quick and simple to use for both businesses and customers.

Dr Jackie Mulligan says: “We are delighted to be working in North Yorkshire and to be partnering with York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub on the launch of these five ShopAppy.com platforms. With our recently announced partnership with VISA helping us provide support to more small businesses across the UK, we are certain that this will provide a real and tangible benefit to local business and the community.”

Lesley-Marie from Beauty Galore (silk flowers) market stall in Thirsk and surrounding North Yorkshire towns says: “ShopAppy is a great, extra way to promote my business around the local area. It gives me the help, advice, and a platform to build my portfolio and still give local customers the best-ever shopping experience.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Slater .