AN ONLINE shopping and e-commerce platform for local businesses has launched in Romsey.

ShopAppy.com lets independent businesses register on its website and have their own webpage with listings of their goods and services, enabling customers to browse, book appointments or buy products online.

The online service also gives customers extra flexibility with click and collect or home delivery options.

So far, around 40 businesses from different sectors in the town have signed up. This includes several local favourites such as Green Hill Patchwork & Quilting, Han’s Sandwiches, Kit & Caboodle and La Parisienne.

Romsey Town Council has given its backing to the scheme and the ShopAppy team continue to work with more businesses, the number of local options for this online service is expected to grow.

Councillor Dorothy Baverstock said: “The ShopAppy platform comes at a crucial time. Many businesses struggled with challenges posed by the recent pandemic.

“Online sales increased throughout the pandemic and businesses needed to be more flexible in how people shopped and how consumers found out about them.

"Having the flexibility to have a hassle-free online shopping experience whilst continuing to support our local businesses, is invaluable to the businesses in Romsey and our continued recovery.

“We’re confident that this new platform will enable many of our local shops to upskill or enhance their digital skills and at the same time it will help safeguard the community by giving residents the option to shop online."

Visit the shopappy.com/romsey/ to register a business.