New online shop initiative to boost Melton traders during pandemic

Melton businesses struggling through the Covid pandemic have been thrown an online lifeline.
Melton town centre.Melton town centre.
Melton town centre.

The town’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched an online sales and delivery platform called The Melton Shop.

The Shop is a virtual marketplace through which businesses, many of which cannot open during Covid, can sell their products and services.

It offers each trader its own space on the website and all data is stored securely with payment details processed by Stripe - a nationally recognised payment system.

Melton town centre manager and BID manager Shelagh Core EMN-200729-143348001Melton town centre manager and BID manager Shelagh Core EMN-200729-143348001
Melton town centre manager and BID manager Shelagh Core EMN-200729-143348001

The site can be found at www.shopmelton.co.uk and has been jointly created by the BID with the e-commerce platform Wearelocals.

Shelagh Core, BID manager, said: “We aim to get as many business online as soon as possible.”

Anyone who would like to sign up should visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWN3A_ZI5PnlM2QAoTYDPq_q8pWvZ9-vx87OOxjdb6makEYw/viewform

Ms Core said: “This is subsidised by the BID for BID members who will pay only 1.5 per cent commission on sales.

“Typically, online systems such as these will cost around 10 per cent of sales, plus set up costs.

“If a business doesn’t wish to sell online but wants an online presence it can use the Melton Shop as a directory, with just a link to its website and social media platforms.”

Organisers say there are six reasons to join:

Increase online sales.

It’s low cost as the BID has invested up front to enable all local businesses to come together in a single compelling online offer.

Stay on-track during Covid-19 by tapping into one of the key trends of the current crisis.

More exposure as local businesses together under a single ‘banner’ enables cross merchandising and selling between businesses.

It works. The scheme was launched in Bristol at the peak of the coronavirus the service is proven to be successful and also launched in Loughborough in November.

Stronger together - local businesses working together means helping each other.