Studio helps put firms in the frame for trade
Husband and wife team create free Shop Local app
A Perthshire photography studio has created a shopping app to help encourage residents to support local businesses as they start to reopen.
Photographer Martin and studio manager Lee-Anne, the husband and wife team behind Martin Ward Photography, Portrait Studio, wanted to help small independent businesses in Perthshire promote themselves.
They started the free Shop Local App, and over 20 businesses have already signed up to showcase what they have to offer.
The COVID-19 lockdown led to the closure of thousands of enterprises, but many have started to emerge from the darkness over the past few weeks.
Lee-Anne said she and Martin wanted to encourage local businesses to shout out to make sure people knew they were ready to open again.
She told the PA: “We were going to set it up as soon as lockdown happened, but we felt that wasn’t the right time. By the time the businesses would have opened, people might have forgotten about them.
“We put it on hold but as soon as Nicola Sturgeon announced when businesses could open we thought it was the right time to do it.
“We want people to remember what we have here rather than going elsewhere. I started speaking to businesses I knew personally and they loved the idea.
“You can see the situation with the High Street. We had Phase Eight closing and we want to see businesses come back. There is lots on offer locally.
“People have asked what we will do after this is over, but it’s something we can carry on. It depends on how people react.
“This is about the community coming together and we want everyone in Perth to shop local.”
Many of the businesses that have already signed up to the free service are offering deals to people who use the app.
There is already a variety of businesses using the app, including a bridal shop, popular hotel, cake shop, a painter and decorator, beauticians and, of course, Martin Ward Photography.
Like many businesses, the coronavirus has had an impact on Martin Ward Photography, which is based on Friarton Road in Perth and reopened on Tuesday, July 7.
“The most difficult thing was closing the studio,” Lee-Anne said.
“We have worked so hard. When Martin was able to open the studio six years ago we never thought we would have to close it.
“It was sad to see it close, it’s really hard to describe.
“We have a one-year-old and when he came along eight weeks early we were only closed for two days.”
The app can be downloaded for free to any mobile/tablet that allows apps on by going to https://app.myphotoapp.com/bjt2/Shop_Local_Perthshire/
Businesses wanting to be featured can email shoplocal@martinwardphotography. com