Rugby businesses join service which allows them to cater to online shoppers through lockdown

It is hoped the scheme will give Rugby businesses a boost as the lockdown means they miss out on crucial pre-Christmas footfall
By Reporter
Published 10th Nov 2020, 10:15 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2020, 10:17 BST
Rugby town centre on the first day of the new lockdown.Rugby town centre on the first day of the new lockdown.
Rugby town centre on the first day of the new lockdown.

Twelve retailers joined Rugby Borough Council and the ShopAppy.com development team last week in a successful online seminar on how to join and use the online trading platform to encourage and enable local residents to trade with them during lockdown and beyond.

The ShopAppy service is being funded by Rugby Borough Council to support businesses, whose crucial pre-Christmas footfall has now been removed by new lockdown restrictions.

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The service provides an online store-front for businesses who may not have online profile or shopping basket and payment services, allowing them to list their products for collection, delivery or services for online provision during this crucial shopping period.

Cllr Seb Lowe, Leader of Rugby Borough Council and Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, portfolio holder for Growth and Investment joined the call to support and back the initiative.

Cllr Lowe said: “I am really impressed by the depth and scope of the ShopAppy system to support our businesses at this hugely challenging time for them.

"I am also hugely encouraged by the strong interest from those attending to explore using this digital trading platform that we are providing in partnership with ShopAppy.com to support retailers and other traders in the borough.

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“The ShopAppy.com service has a track record of working in partnership with UK towns to help small businesses to encourage residents to buy locally online.

"It can support a whole spectrum of trades including services such as hairdressing, B2B businesses, market stalls and makers, and those providing training or other online events”

“The borough council is pleased to be funding this service at no cost to businesses for the next 12 months. I would encourage all independent retailers in the borough to sign up to the service to enable them to build a digital trading presence so that residents can access and buy goods and services locally within a virtual online community of Rugby businesses."

Rugby businesses who wish to know more can register their interest directly by emailing [email protected].

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Any questions on ShopAppy in Rugby may be sent by email to [email protected] and Abi McCartney, place marketing officer in the council’s Economic Development Team will be happy to respond.