Free online Christmas market to help local businesses
KCOM LAUNCHES VIRTUAL STALLS FOR INDEPENDENT TRADERS
KCOM hopes to give e local businesses a festive e boost by launching a free e virtual online Christmas as market for independent nt traders.
The KCOM Christmas as Market, which launches es on Friday, November 20, 0, will provide a huge virrtual shop window for East st Yorkshire businesses that are facing the challenge of coronavirus lockdowns at what should be their busiest time of year.
Any small or medium-sized independent business – from local breweries to delis, gift shops, chocolatiers and traders who would normally expect to be visiting Christmas markets at this time of year – are welcome to take a “stall” in the market, enabling them to showcase their wares to an audience of thousands and drive footfall towards their websites.
And to launch the market with a bang, KCOM has committed to give its own employees an early Christmas present by giving each of them a gift from a number of the market traders.
Dale Raneberg, KCOM chief executive officer, said: “We know that times are incredibly challenging for many local businesses at the moment, especially with new lockdown measures in place, and that now should be one of the bu busiest times of ye year for many sm small traders as we get ever cl closer to Christm mas.
“With the KCOM Christmas Market we wanted to support local businesses by giving them a platform where they could still reach their customers despite not being able to attend the usual festive events.
“And to help kickstart the market in style, we’re giving more than 1,000 employees the chance to pick a present from one of a number of the traders.
“We think this is a great way to thank our people for all the great work they’ve done this year and to make up for the fact that we’ll be unable to get together for our annual Christmas celebrations.”
The market will provide a unique shop window for independent traders across the region, from Hull and the East Riding to North Lincolnshire, and will be a one-stop shop for browsers looking for some great, locally produced, Christmas presents for family and friends.
One of the first local businesses to sign up to the market is Hull’s Atom Brewery, which will be showcasing some of its awardwinning ales.
A spokesman for Atom said: “The challenges facing small businesses in Hull are becoming increasingly difficult. In the leadup to Christmas we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with KCOM as they endeavour to showcase local businesses.
“This project will shine a light on the passion of local producers and allow their high-quality produce to reach a wider audience.”
Among other goodies on offer will be sweet treats from White Rabbit Chocolatiers and a range of luxurious bath bombs and balms from local farmer’s market regular, Babylon Soaps.
The market site will also include features such as competitions and special offers and shed a spotlight on a trader of the week in the run-p to December 25.
Mr Raneberg said the initiative would help people shop locally at a time when it was more important than ever to support the local economy.
“Most importantly, it’s completely free for any businesses who want to be a part of it,” he said. “It won’t cost them a penny to take a stall and tell the world what they’ve got to offer.”
The KCOM Christmas Market website was created by local web design company Digital Click Solutions, based in Hessle.
To register your independent business to be part of KCOM’S free Christmas market, visit www.bet tersourcedlocally.co.uk/sign-up