ShopAppy and help boost city economy

Shoppers can now find new ways to support local, independent traders, thanks to the city signing up to a trailblazing scheme.

Shop Appy.comw as launched to help the high street engage with customers in a new way that would make it more convenient for them to shop and has now become a huge asset to towns and cities across the country.

Sunderland BID, working with Sunderland City Council, has enrolled the city in the scheme, which will give smaller retailers a new shop window to display and sell their goods – with the hope of getting at least 20 businesses to sign up for the scheme before Christmas.

It comes as the Echo is encouraging people to #ShopLocal this Christmas.

On ShopAppy.com – which is accessed online – shops and stores can display a range of goods, allowing the customer to buy from a number of outlets but collect all of their purchases from one place.

Among those in the area already signed up isSeaham’s Little Refill Shop, Ibbitson’s and Thoburn’s.

Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, believes ShopAppy.com – which is backed by Visa – is a great resource for the city.

“We have a fantastic number of independent and unique businesses in the city which many people may not be aware of,” she said.

“ShopAppy gives people on focal point to explore these businesses and buy from one or a number of them.”

Sunderland City Council Leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, appealed to people to support the scheme.

“Let’s all do what we can to keep shopping locally and keeping Sunderland’s hard earned pounds in Sunderland .”