A digital lifeline for high streets

A new way for Derbyshire communities to browse, book and buy local online has been launched by Derbyshire County Council, in partnership with district and borough councils, as part of a scheme to support towns and villages.

ShopAppy.com is a website which allows shops, cafes, restaurants and other local businesses and community organisations to display their goods and services for online purchasing.

Local shops and services will be displayed together in a single town page, which means customers can shop from all their favourite local shops, in a single transaction. 

And for some businesses, options for customers to click and collect from a central location or get goods delivered to their door will be available as well as being able to collect from the store.

£64,000 has been set aside by Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DEP) – a partnership including the county council and Derbyshire’s eight district and borough councils – to pay for free unlimited use of the website for local groups and businesses for 12 months.

Hope Valley has become the first community in Derbyshire to go live on the website at www.shopappy.com/hopevalley and the councils are working with businesses in other communities across the county to launch the website in each town and village in the run-up to Christmas.

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, said: “It’s a critical time for small, independent retailers, many of whom do not have the money or knowhow to sell their products on the internet.

“That’s why the county council is supporting this project – to throw a digital lifeline to our high streets by offering local businesses free online subscription to ShopAppy.com for 12 months to help open themselves and their customers up to an alternative way of doing business.

“Our own Derbyshire High Street Task Force draws on the skills and experience of experts to make sure we are doing all we can to strengthen Derbyshire’s 27 market towns, at this difficult time.”

ShopAppy.com, which has already launched in 150 towns in the UK, was created four years ago to provide an alternative way for places and small businesses to compete with online retail giants, allowing customers to book events and experiences as well as browse and buy local products online.

It is open for retail businesses, market traders, pop up shops, home-based businesses, event organisers and artists as well as restaurants and cafes when local coronavirus restrictions allow.

Richard Horsley, Chair of Derbyshire Economic Partnership, said: “At a time when £1 in every £3 spent in retail is being spent online, it’s crucial that our towns go digital too – so more people are able to shop local and support our local economy.

“With ShopAppy.com people can continue to support their favourite local shops from the comfort of their home, buying online.

"We would encourage business and groups which would like to get involved in the scheme or find out more to register on shopappy.com/vendor or email info@shopappy.com"