‘Pod Shop’ stores help businesses to get online

Local businesses that cannot yet trade online are being offered help from Horsham District Council.

The council has teamed up with local company Screen Social to offeranopportunity for traders to set up online ‘Pod Shop’ stores over the next three months.

The council says it recognises the urgency for some traders to start offering their goods and services online as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

It is funding the set up of 10 new ‘Pod Shop stores’ on a first come first served basis.

The initiative forms part of the council’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign, encouraging local people to buy from local suppliers to boost the

Horsham district economy.

It also builds on the launch of the new shopping portal www.VirtualHorsham.co.uk where buyers can find local businesses already trading successfully online.

Council cabinet member for the local economy Paul Clarke said: “As a council, we remain fully committed to our high streets but recognise that an online presence is now a vital means of generating turnover for all types of businesses.

“This year has accelerated internet use by the public through necessity and we want to assist our independents to have effective channels to retain local purchasers in this global shopping environment that trades without boundaries 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Screen Social owner Mike Frater said: “Helping local independents to start taking advantage of online trading and marketing is vital both now and in the future.

“The online Pod Shop is potentially a lifeline for those not already trading online.”

Full details of how to access the Pod Shop offer are here: https://coupon. screensocial.uk/p/k1gk6w