Published Date: May 12th, 2020
Kirkcaldy businesses are the first in Scotland to trade online using the award-winning shopping platform ShopAppy thanks to new community initiative Love Oor Lang Toun.
ShopAppy Kirkcaldy was launched yesterday and is a website which brings the town’s businesses into one online marketplace.
The pilot project was made possible with financial support from Fife Council and ShopAppy Kirkcaldy allows customers to browse and buy online from Kirkcaldy businesses 24/7 - perfect for essentials and gifts
The site gives shoppers a way to shop local during lockdown and beyond to help support the local economy and to encourage people to buy from local independent businesses.
Using ShopAppy to buy is quick and easy by simply visiting shopappy.com/Kirkcaldy
The site showcases products and businesses in Kirkcaldy and customers can select what they want to book or buy and complete the transaction in one place, selecting from a range of collection or delivery options.
The business then puts the order together and it is sent out, the same way other online giants operate but with the feel good of all the spend going to local businesses.
The pilot project is only open to Kirkcaldy businesses who are being given the chance to participate free of charge in the scheme for six months, thanks to the Council funding, after that businesses can still participate for the equivalent of just £5 a week.
Kirkcaldy is the ONLY location in Scotland currently to offer the ShopAppy service and the initiative is a pilot project delivered by the newly formed Love Oor Lang Toun group, supported by Greener Kirkcaldy and Fife Council.
Love Oor Lang Toun will be established as a social enterprise to support, develop and promote the town centre, and builds on previous work to regenerate the town centre by local partners including Kirkcaldy4All. The intention is to develop a social enterprise which will involve a wide range of stakeholders.
To get the project up and running, it is currently being hosted by Greener Kirkcaldy. It has been developed through ideas from the Kirkcaldy’s Ambitions Partnership with the support of local partner organisations.
Suzy Goodsir of Greener Kirkcaldy, said she was delighted to see Kirkcaldy leading the way nationally. She said: “We are excited to see ShopAppy Kirkcaldy go live, and the new Love Oor Lang Toun group supporting our town. 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.
“We would urge everyone to have a look at ShopAppy Kirkcaldy, make a purchase and support local not only in lockdown, but beyond. Any Kirkcaldy business – in any sector – who wishes to be added onto the site and have their products and services showcased for people to buy should get in touch, as we would be delighted to hear from them.”
Convener of Fife Council’s Kirkcaldy Area Committee, Councillor Neil Crooks, said the council was proud to fund the exciting new initiative. Explaining the background, he said: “The Kirkcaldy’s Ambitions Partnership formed two steering groups before the lock down. One to concentrate on the town centre after Kirkcaldy4All closed their business improvement district company down and the other to look at celebrating Adam Smith’s 300th birthday in 2023.
“The town centre group feel that 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.
“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.”
Dr Jackie Mulligan added: “We are delighted to be working in Fife and to be partnering with Kirkcaldy on this first launch of the ShopAppy.com platform in Scotland. With our recently announced partnership with VISA helping us provide support to more small businesses across the UK, we are certain that this will provide a real and tangible benefit to Kirkcaldy businesses and the community.”
Local businesses who want to take part should email hello@shopkirkcaldy.co.uk