Almost 100 businesses sign up to Shrewsbury virtual marketplace
Almost 100 businesses have joined Shrewsbury's new "virtual marketplace" - and more firms are urged to get involved.
Support Shrewsbury is a website which will give people the opportunity to buy vouchers for shops and businesses to help them gain income during lockdown.
Nearly 100 businesses have so far registered to be included - and organisers are calling for more to join the scheme by going to supportshrewsbury.co.uk
The project will create a hub for local commerce online, inviting the public to get behind local shops, cafes and restaurants and other local businesses, by buying vouchers which can be redeemed after the lockdown.
Support Shrewsbury will also create a virtual business community for local business owners to share ideas and relevant information and to help each other throughout the crisis and beyond.
Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, said: “We have been really pleased with the initial response, with nearly 100 businesses and over 150 members of the public registering their interest within days of registration being open.
“It’s free of charge for businesses to add themselves to the site, and we are encouraging every trader in Shrewsbury to get involved.
“Once the website is open to the public, payments for gift vouchers and products sold through the website will go directly to the businesses using the secure Stripe payment system.”
Shrewsbury BID has worked with local web design company, The Web Orchard, to get the website up and running in a matter of weeks.
Pete White, of The Web Orchard, said: “It’s a difficult time for all businesses in the town and any impact we can have in supporting them is a priority for us.”
