Fife town first in Scotland to launch new online shopping platform

Kirkcaldy launches pilot project to help business after lockdown
ShopAppyShopAppy
ShopAppy

Kirkcaldy is to become the first Scottish town to launch an award-winning shopping platform to help local businesses.

ShopAppy brings together traders into one online marketplace, and the people behind it hope it will give business a boost as its starts to emerge out of lockdown.

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The pilot project is being backed by Fife Council – and Lang Toun businesses have been offered a free six-month trial.

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ShopAppy

The website will feature their goods and services, and visitors can select what they want to book or buy, complete the transaction in one place, and then choose from a range of collection or delivery options – in effect giving local companies the same operation as online giants.

ShopAppy currently operates in over 40 towns across England, but this is its first venture north of the border.

It is being run under the ‘Love Oor Lang Toun’ banner – the first new initiative to be launched to promote Kirkcaldy town centre since the demise of Kirkcaldy4All

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Love Oor Lang Toun will also be established as a social enterprise to build on the work of the BID company, and be part of future plans to support the town centre.

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Love Ooor Lang Toun

To get ShopAppy – which was developed out of conversations through the Kirkcaldy Ambitions partnership – off the ground it is being hosted by Greener Kirkcaldy, with support from the local authority.

Suzy Goodsir of Greener Kirkcaldy, said she was delighted to see the town leading the way nationally.

She said: “This will give local people a chance to really show their support for businesses in their town at a time of great uncertainty for the local economy.

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“We would urge everyone to have a look at ShopAppy Kirkcaldy, make a purchase and support local not only in lockdown, but beyond.”

The website has the support of Kirkcaldy area committee, and convener, Councillor Neil crooks, believes it could deliver real benefits to all companies which sign up.

He said: “Trading online during the current COVID19 crisis is crucial, particularly for many local and independent businesses.

"While some businesses already have that ability, many do not. This initiative means that they can now can trade online quickly without having to make an initial cash investment and be part of a bigger and impressive shop local offering that is showcased on ShopAppy Kirkcaldy.

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“An online marketplace that lets people browse, purchase from multiple shops in the one online transaction and arrange a pick-up or delivery service is a fantastic incentive to encourage people to change their shopping habits.

"I can see this having real benefits for the town centre and its many independent retailers, particularly at a time when businesses have the difficult job of trying to still be open for business even though they have had to temporarily close their doors.”

ShopAppy is partnered by Visa. Businesses in Kirkcaldy only can get a six-month trial for free. Thereafter it will cost the equivalent of just £5 a week.

More details by email to: [email protected]

www.ShopAppy.com

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