NORTH NOTTS BID is working with award-winning high street app LoyalFree to promote and support local businesses during the Covid-19 crisis.
The app, which is used by 226 North Nottinghamshire companies to promote offers, events and interactive listings, has now been adapted to give users access to a number of trails that can be followed to discover businesses that are still operating during the pandemic.
There are currently four live trails, which make it simple to find businesses that fit the user’s requirements as well as still being open for business. These available trails include ‘businesses serving groceries across Bassetlaw’, ‘local grocery businesses serving near you’, ‘Worksop and Retford shops brought to you’ and a trail of businesses offering the delivery or collection of food throughout the district.
Sally Gillborn, chief executive at North Notts BID, said: “We’re really excited about being able to help local businesses promote their current offerings through such a direct and user-friendly method. The Covid-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on companies across the UK, so we’re glad that we can do our bit to help businesses across North Nottinghamshire attract new customers.
“We have been working with LoyalFree for over a year now and offer all of our members have the opportunity to advertise on the app, free of charge. This offer still applies and is now more important than ever as we continue to encourage the community to keep shopping locally.”
The Old Police Station Restaurant and Bar is just one of the many businesses that have benefitted from the LoyalFree app by receiving orders and delivering fresh produce to local residents.
Sarah James, general manager at The Old Police Station Restaurant and Bar in Retford, said: “We have continued to work closely with North Notts BID and have been using the LoyalFree app for several months. During the coronavirus crisis, the app has proved a useful tool to direct people to businesses that have remained operational.
“Unlike some businesses in the local area, we have remained open from the beginning. The app can be used to show people what produce and services we have to offer and encourages people to look at our Facebook page where we make daily posts.”
Since the app launched in May, the new trails have had over 150 views from users searching for businesses that are still operating while adhering to government safety guidelines. The app has attracted more than 1,600 users across North Nottinghamshire, and there have been 15,582 interactions with local businesses since the beginning of the project.
Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of LoyalFree, said: ‘We’re currently living through unprecedented times so it’s important that we adapt our technology to meet the changing demands of consumers.
“We want to continue to support North Notts BID and the local high street during this difficult period in any way we can, and think these new trails are a great way to connect users to local goods and services that are still available during the pandemic.’
LoyalFree has also launched its new LoyalFree Marketplace in North Nottinghamshire to help users support their favourite independents by shopping locally no matter where they are in the UK. Visit https://www.loyalfreemarketplace.co.uk/north-notts/ to purchase products and gift cards from your favourite local businesses.
To download the app for free, visit www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or search for ‘LoyalFree’ on the app store.
To find out more about North Notts BID, visit northnottsbid.co.uk.