Online shopping portal in Horsham expands to help more independent firms

From next week, February 8, in a fresh agreement between Horsham District Council and developers, Visit Horsham, the portal will help firms who may not have an online business model to sell goods.

The agreement between the council’s economic development team and Visit Horsham also extends the window for free profiles for independents by another three months taking the Covid related offer right up until the end of August.

All food and drink businesses on the portal have to be properly certificated and be registered with the council for their hygiene rating.

The Virtual Horsham initiative forms part of the council’s Buy Local campaign, backed by this newspaper, which is supporting local traders that have continued to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic to deliver vital services for local people.

A council spokeswoman said: “The overall Buy Local campaign highlights how local traders have adapted to support public health guidelines, putting enhanced measures in place to keep their customers and staff safe.

“Businesses not able to open their premises have adapted their services to provide efficient online buying processes such as click and collect, phone order and collect, message order and collect and home deliveries, and this enhanced Virtual Horsham portal will enable easier access to these businesses.”

The Buy Local campaign encourages local people to choose local suppliers either online or in person, as this helps to support a whole network of other local people behind the scenes.

Cabinet member for finance, the local economy and parking councillor Paul Clarke said: “Choosing to buy your goods or take-aways from our many fantastic independent businesses is a really good way to support a circular economy.

“Every time you buy local you are helping a whole network of suppliers and tradespeople, keeping local jobs open for local people.

“I would encourage as many of you as possible to access the Virtual Horsham shopping portal and buy local as much as you possibly can.

“Buying local is also good for the local environment, reducing our District’s carbon footprint – so it’s a win-win all round.”

Visit Horsham owner, Gavin Hewins is excited by this further extension of their services supporting the local business community.

He added: “We are keen to build on the early success of the Virtual Horsham Shopping and Services portal that we created with the Council in October.

“The site currently features nearly 100 businesses across the District and has received over 50,000 customer visits. This update adds to its value in the latest lockdown and offers the community a truly one stop directory to keep their online and remote purchasing local.

“I encourage as many local businesses as possible to join the portal and take advantage of the Council’s free sponsored profiles”

For more information visit www.virtualhorsham.co.uk