A new virtual high street service, which aims to support independent shops during the pandemic, is to launch in Colchester this week.
From Wednesday 7 April, residents anywhere in the borough can use Click It Local Colchester enabling them to buy from any participating local shop and have it delivered on the same day.
From weekly food essentials, gifts and treats to last-minute basics – customers can buy everything they need from as many participating shops as they like, with one payment and one delivery.
The scheme has been announced in partnership with Colchester Borough Council and the Our Colchester BID, who are helping with retailer acquisition and engagement.
Steve Koch, founder of Click It Local, said: “I love shopping locally, so wanted to find a way to help small shops offer the same level of speed and convenience that today’s online customers have come to expect. Our aim is to ensure we can all continue to shop local, support independent shops and provide for the local community.”
A Colchester Borough Council Spokesman said: “We are really pleased to help bring ‘Click it Local’ to Colchester. This is a real boost to Colchester’s independent retailers and will help retain the character and heritage of small shopping streets in the town.
“It is also an opportunity for local people to discover the rich source of independent shops not only in Colchester, but across north Essex, with Amazon-style consolidation and delivery service. Initiatives like this are crucial to retaining jobs and assisting the High Street’s recovery following lockdown.”
Twenty-three stores have already signed up to Click it Local Colchester. They include iconic independent family grocer and coffee roasters, Guntons, who have been curating some of the best specialty products in the town for over 80 years.
Click it Local has already successfully launched in Cambridgeshire, Brighton, parts of Essex and London and is now looking to extend to further towns and villages across the UK in a bid to support local and independent business.
The service has been introduced to the local area by the North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) as part of a series of initial actions designed to boost recovery from the pandemic, with money contributed to the initiatives from Covid-support funding provided by Government.
This forms part of a raft of measures Colchester Borough Council is bringing forward to support the town centre. This includes the launch of a television advert to promote the safe reopening of Colchester High Street next week, with a 30 second advert going live across all major Sky TV channels and on ITV Hub.
Businesses interested in finding out more about signing up with Click it Local can contact hello@clickitlocal.co.uk
To shop online visit: Click It Local
Page last reviewed: 7 April 2021