INDEPENDENT businesses in Pickering are receiving an online boost.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub has announced a 12-month free subscription to ShopAppy.com, which allows businesses to establish an online presence.

ShopAppy.com provides a collective online shopping window for Pickering residents to browse independent businesses after hours, click and collect, home deliveries and bookings.

“We’re looking forward to working with ShopAppy.co. and having the opportunity to work collaboratively with other businesses to show what Pickering has to offer and, ultimately, make life easier for our customers,” said Neil Armstrong, from Trail Blazer Outdoors in Pickering.

“It will enable retailers to get online easily and serve the people of Pickering who have found it difficult to get products and deliveries of products during lockdown.”

According to research, 61 per cent of people feel less comfortable shopping in store than before lockdown and 18 per cent are waiting until a vaccine is developed before high street shopping again.

“We are delighted to be working in Pickering and to be partnering with York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub on the launch of this ShopAppy.com platform,” said Dr Jackie Mulligan, founder of Shopappy.com

“With our recently announced partnership with VISA helping us provide support to more small businesses across the UK, we are certain that this will provide a tangible benefit to local business and the community.”

Andrew Raby, manager of the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, added: “By having services available online, businesses are giving themselves added resilience for the future.

“There is plenty of technical support too, such as weekly online drop-in sessions, so setting up couldn’t be easier.”

For more information, visit shopAppy.com.