New venture throws lifeline to members of Buy Local Norfolk

A business enterprise devoted to independents trading in Norfolk has set up an online shop in order to carry on supporting its members.

Buy Local Norfolk set up the new initiative as small businesses are trying to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic with some concerned they may not survive prolonged trading restrictions.

The government’s announcement of a four-week lockdown from November 5 spurred on Buy Local Norfolk directors to launch the online shop which allows members to carry on selling their goods and services.

The directors, who recognise that setting up an online shop is beyond the funds, time, and expertise of many of its members, have pulled together to set up the shop in record time.

All members can list as many items and services as they wish and it is free to all members.

Buy Local Norfolk Chairman Glynn Burrows runs Norfolk-Tours, a business which has continued to trade, even though the company has experienced massive losses since March. From personal experience, he is well aware of the problems facing small businesses.

He said: “We want our members to be able to compete with the large online retailers, and we also want to give the people of Norfolk the choice to buy from the shop down the road, even though the physical building has been forced to close its doors to real-life visitors, or access has been heavily restricted.

“The offering of services on the platform, also makes it possible for people to book such things as pest control, internet provision or accountancy services from local, independent businesses too.”

Fellow director Peter Bussey of Abacus Accountancy added: “As more businesses are now offering an online selling platform, we thought it would be good to put one in place for the many small members that may not have the resources to set one up.”

Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk says: “I’m thoroughly excited to support the launch of Buy Local Norfolk online. As an MP who was brought up working in retail on the high street, I know how much our independent shops mean to local communities. We must do everything we can to support our vital shops as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Buy Local Norfolk is a social enterprise that supports businesses which are local to the county. It has hundreds of members offering goods and services, such as food and drink, construction, energy and renewables, IT and technology, retail, training, tourism and a host of professional services.

Mr Burrows added: “The uneven playing field faced by small, independent businesses is all too obvious, and it is up to us to work together to flatten the bumps.”

The Buy Local Norfolk online shop can be found at: https://shop.buylocalnorfolk.org.uk/

Anyone wishing to join the organisation should visit the website www.buylocalnorfolk.org.uk

Inquiries can be emailed to glynn.burrows@buylocalnorfolk.org.uk or info@buylocalnorfolk.org.uk

Alternatively, call 07535150681.