Archive - Tuesday, 9 April 2002


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Ryedale firms' Internet boost

TRADERS in Malton and Norton are set to gain extra business from across the globe, thanks to a new Internet initiative.

A total of 40 businesses from the twin towns are to be picked for the project, which is being set up with a £45,000 grant from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Donna Lee, from the Malton and Norton Market Towns Initiative, which is helping to run the project, said traders will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.

"Only two market towns in Yorkshire have been successful in a grant application and we're one of them," she said.

"The idea is to help businesses set up their own websites to help them sell their products on the web."

The cash will be used to provide technical advisers who will train business owners how to run their own website.

"The advisers will help them design the websites properly, because often if it is not done well it can do more damage to the business than good," said Mrs Lee.

"Technical support will be provided for a year to allow those traders taking part to assess whether the website is bringing them extra business.

"After that year it's up to them to decide whether they want to continue with their website.

"It's great news for those small-scale traders in the towns who might perhaps not have the money needed to set up and run a website."

A number of smaller businesses in the towns have already established their own websites and are reaping the benefits of trading on a virtual world market.

"The help is available to those which already have websites," she said.

"The technical experts will be on hand to help people improve or expand their sites.

"Besides this the experts will be able to advise people how to market their website to make more people aware of it and want them to use it.

"Malton and Norton are small rural towns and it's often difficult for businesses here to compete and this is just a way of giving them a helping hand."

Traders wishing to apply to be included in the initiative should contact Donna Lee on 01653 600666 for an application form.

Updated: 09:12 Tuesday, April 09, 2002