Going Hyper-Local During Lockdown
How we’re helping independent businesses during Covid-19
“Thank you Deal Delivers. We’ve gone from 6–8 deliveries a day to nearly 100. Connecting with new customers that hadn’t used us before” Maxteds Pet, Garden and Aquatic Store.
It was March 21st, the last Saturday before official lockdown and it became clear that the previously vibrant high street of Deal was going to suffer. The weekly farmers market was closing and we were all told to stay home. Cafes, craft shops and the local artisan's livelihoods cut off.
My initial reaction was one of panic. Breakfast, lunch and dinner made by me, every single day for the family. How could I bring Deliveroo to Deal by Monday? Action was needed and I raced around the shops and market on that final Saturday asking if anyone had thought about offering delivery after lockdown and getting details. Using my own money and Rob Hough the nifty developer we set up ‘Dealdelivers.com’ — One week after lockdown and the site was live and populated. Local shops prepared to deliver could list for free online and then be in charge of their own payments — a very simple, hyper-local, Yellow Pages.
If you haven’t discovered Deal, its a picturesque, seaside town in Kent, UK with a population of around 30,000 people. The Deal high street is a model high street where you can buy everything you need within walking distance from independent suppliers, from a specialist lightbulb shop, an exceptional local farmers market, to a handful of atmospheric bars and lifestyle shops.
Dealdelivers.com has a sleek, accessible design and is simple to use and update, with an excellent search function and linked to a Facebook Group. In less than 3 days the group had 1000 members and now DealDelivers.com receives between 500–1000 visitors a day.
The town is now coming together on Facebook (currently 3500 members), asking each other for recommendations. The group is alive with ‘where can I get?’ questions. Everything from a watering can and balloons to olive oil and cocktails can now be found waiting on the doorsteps of Deal. It would appear that Amazon has been forgotten. This is a community working at it’s best.
Residents of Deal are shopping local, supporting their favourite highstreet independents and discovering new ones. The effort people are making to shop local and support their community is overwhelming. The suppliers listed (some who don’t have websites) are thrilled with the support…. The impact the website has made compared to the effort I have put in has been infinitely rewarding and I hope people will continue to use it post lockdown.
The high street is not going to be beaten — indeed they may even find they are busier than ever once this is over, as they have connected with customers who were previously unaware of their existence.
Why your town needs a UK Delivers.
Even though we are all socially distancing or in isolation, community has never been stronger. The trend to shop local and support independents at this difficult time is pushing forward. With supermarket delivery waiting times and queues around the block — this is the perfect time for independent businesses to band together and be noticed — while people have time on their hands to shop thoughtfully, without rushing, without expectations of ‘Next Day’.
It’s now just over 4 weeks into lockdown and consumers are trying new tasty takeaways, buying gifts for missed friends and treats from themselves. And when their deliveries arrive they are shouting about it and telling their friends to spread the word.
Word from the high street
“ At Peckish, we have always been lucky enough to have a small number of loyal customers. However, like most small businesses, we find it hard to get our message to a broader audience. The Deal Delivers website has given us a locally targeted platform, and we have been able to talk to a broad section of people who quite possibly had no idea who or what we did” Peckish
“As a sideline business I made pre-made cocktails for bars. When the bars closed due to COVID I started home delivery. Your site has helped me engage with my local community and boost sales without any costs invested in marketing. There’s nothing but admiration for you and your social approach to building communities and promoting small local business! Well done!” Cocktail in a Bottle
“I can’t thank you enough for starting the group and site. I don’t think it would have worked without it. Bookings coming in already for next weekend. Like many other small businesses we have adapted and I hope local residents will see the value in supporting us all even when normality creeps back.” Dough Dough Pizza
“You have helped keep my sanity and helped with a little income coming in, more than I had a few weeks ago, I really appreciate it” Spa @ Home
“We joined last week and already have had a great response to our posts. Some from regular customers who didn’t know we were able to deliver and lots from new customers who have now discovered us and will hopefully continue to use us once things get back to normal. Great idea, thank you 👏👏👏” Smoke on the Water Lifestyle Shop
“I’ve found local businesses I’d never heard of” Deal Delivers customer
What next?
I have always wanted this to be available to other towns. I’ve teamed up with Tom Szekeres and Robin Green who have launched their own hubs and the website template is available for FREE — all you need is your own nifty developer or we can do it for you for a very small set up cost.
Dulwichdelivers.com run by Tom Szekeres is leading the way in London, and has been populated with coffee shops to pubs, all re-inventing themselves and helping the local community.
Reigatedelivers.com run by Robin Green launched last Friday, and now has over 25 businesses listed and a Facebook group nearing 200 followers. Not only has the website helped the once bustling high street, but also introduced new independent businesses based outside of the town to residents. The site is currently getting local 500 visitors a day.
Sponsor a Town
Do you want to sponsor a town and help re-build your high street? For as little as £150 and a willing volunteer, you could help save a high street. Or FREE if you have a developer that can implement the template (we have all the instructions!)
Get in touch! hello@dealdelivers.com
Visit the website www.dealdelivers.com
About me.
Calypso Rose is an entrepreneur. Previously ITV’s Young Business Person of the Year, and founder of experience gift company ‘The Indytute’ (it’s worth a look >>) The Indytute mantra is ‘Give Good Times’ — real-life experiences over ‘stuff’, which Calypso is determined to champion again as soon as lockdown is over. In the meantime, the mantra can now be applied to this seaside town, where both shops and customers are determined to serve each other to the benefit of both.
A big thank you to Rob Hough for getting Dealdelivers.com up and running so quickly and making it available for all to use.
