New “one-stop” website launches to help local independent shops

Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils have launched a new website to promote the wide array of local independent shops in the area.

Shop owners are being urged to sign up to the free website that has been designed to provide residents with a thorough directory of local independent shops across the area.

Business owners should visit Shop Local to fill out a short form about their shop, what it sells, where it is based and its opening times and arrangements.

The councils’ website is a comprehensive directory and builds on other initiatives such as the ‘Shop Independent at Christmas’ 2019 campaign from Visit Lewes. Earlier this year Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils also launched Eat Local to help local residents find nearby food and provisions.

Councillor James MacCleary, Leader of Lewes District Council, said: “Our area has a fantastic selection of independent shops we are proud to support.

“We have been working hard to support local shops through the Covid-19 outbreak and have seen a lot of people starting to appreciate what’s available in their own town centre. Now that shops are reopen they need ongoing support from our community and that’s why we’re pleased to be leading this initiative.

“Now, more than ever we need to be supporting our local shops, so I encourage businesses to sign up, so we can promote their offering to local residents.”

Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to set up shopslocal.info following the successful launch of eatlocal.info.

“We are working hard to support local businesses to ensure our areas have a prosperous economic future.” Businesses can sign up to be featured by visiting https://link.edgepilot.com/s/918fc82e/aglM8Yz1Qk_BK6k4PY5gJg?u=http://www.shopslocal.info/ and filling in a short form.