Business Doors opening for New app is just the look behind scenes business
Warm welcome awaits from Whitson’s and Giraffe
They are changing how businesses in the region connect with the local community.
Perthshire Local, since launching its Facebook page and group in March 2021 – and their app in January of this year – is gathering a growing following.
A Facebook network of nearly 40,000 followers and over 350 listings have been achieved, showcasing businesses across Perthshire on the app.
Perthshire Local is an app, supported by a large, engaged social media community, that allows people to“find, buy, book, order and enjoy” everything Perthshire all in one place.
Iain Fenwick of Perthshire Local said: “Perthshire Local looked at the core areas where money was being taken out of Perthshire in commissions.
“Companies such as Just Eat, Deliveroo, Itison, Etsy, Eventbrite etc.
“Commissions taken by these companies range from 10 per cent and item fees, to as high as 35 per cent.
“Literally hundreds of thousands of pounds leaving our region every year in commission.
“Perthshire Local have developed software to provide voucher, takeaway, ecommerce, salon booking and ticketing software that local businesses can use with only a five per cent commission fee, saving them money and allowing them to invest more in their business.”
As well as developing their own software, Perthshire Local maintain their own servers to provide web-based applications, allowing them to tailor packages unique to customer requirements.
Iain added:“when you buy a ticket for one of Live Forever Promotions’ gigs, order takeaway from Cardo Restaurant, buy an offer for Afternoon Tea at Murrayshall Country Estate, buy some Tablet from Val’s Scottish Tablet Treats, or book an hour at Perth Dog Park, for example, all the money stays in Perthshire, minus online merchant fees.”
Perthshire Local’s“rapid growth”has come to the attention of organisations like the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland and there is now a plan to make sure the app is accessible to everyone visiting Perthshire.
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce is offering the chance to take a peek behind the scenes at two local businesses.
A visit to Scottish paint company Whitson’s is on the schedule for the evening of Thursday, May 18, as is a trip to Giraffe Trading.
Vicki Unite, chief executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, is encouraging anyone interested to act sharp and book a spot.
She said: “Please join us for this fun and informative event – we would love to see you.”
A spokesperson for Whitson’s provided a flavour of what to expect.
They noted: “Whitson’s Ltd specialise in importing environmentally friendly, utterly beautiful, Italian decorative plasters and paint that adorn high end homes throughout the UK.
“Join us to see the versatility and beauty of seamless marble plaster that can be applied to your walls in both commercial and domestic spaces as well as some simple upcycling techniques that will amaze.
“We will demonstrate a wall finish achievable by any amateur or professional and a simple painted furniture finish that can update any piece of old furniture.
“Directors Cait Whitson and Gibson Donaldson, who also run the renowned specialist painting company Carte Blanche Decorative Painters, will give you the benefit of their painting skills and knowledge to help explain how stepping away from traditional paint and wallpaper can enhance your living and working environment.”
Social enterprise Giraffe is also looking forward to welcoming a bumper crowd to see how they operate.
“At Giraffe, we do good with food,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re a charity and social enterprise that supports neurodivergent people towards realising their potential and becoming part of their community through training, life skills and supported work experience.
“They do this work at our busy city centre café on South Street, through our outside catering business and, now, from the
Giraffe Community Kitchen in Friarton.
“From this brand-new site, we will be able to support more trainees, provide more free community meals to those in need (70,000 so far and counting), provide more outside catering to more businesses in Perth and Kinross and make more ready meals for selling through our partner networks.
“You’ll get a wee tour of this new facility, meet some of our staff, volunteers and trainees and generally find out more about the great work we do.
“Hopefully, you’ll leave wanting to order outside catering from us, visit our café and generally support our organisation.”
Visit www.perthshirechamber. co.uk/events, email events@ perthshirechamber.co.uk or call 01738 448325 for more information and to book on the visits.
Please join us for this fun and informative event – we would love to see you