Business Improvement District (BID) in St Andrews has launched a new app this month to connect St Andrews residents to local businesses directly and protect business owners during the ongoing economic crisis that has stemmed from COVID-19.
The app, Love St Andrews Marketplace, allows local businesses a platform to provide direct delivery services, or click and collect services, directly to consumers through one centralised platform.
The app connects users with stores nearest to them by postcode. For each business, it lists the earliest time for delivery or pick up, any delivery costs, and a telephone number to contact the business directly, meaning the app does not take any percentage of individual sales unlike food-delivery services such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
So far, the app offers delivery and pick-up from Fisher & Donaldson, Cromars, Bonkers, Cook Central, The Crystal Shop Scotland, Fraser Gallery St Andrews, Spoiled Life, Ziggy’s Restaurant, and St Andrews Brewing Co, though more are expected to join.
Speaking to Fife Tourism Partnership, BID St Andrews Manager Jane Kennedy said, “BIDs across Scotland are playing a critical role during these challenging economic times. Not only are we offering hands-on support to our BID Members, we are working hand in hand with local and central government to try to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on our local economies.”
She continued, “Town centres will play a vital role in the ‘bounce back’ and we hope the Marketplace App will be another way we can help the businesses by providing them with a flexible revenue platform as they adapt the way they operate going forward.”
Similar apps have also been launched in other cities around Scotland to promote their local economies as social distancing continues.
Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said to Fife Tourism, “With support from the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 BID Resilience Fund, BIDs across Scotland are supporting local businesses with digital solutions that help them to keep trading during this difficult time. The launch of the St Andrews Marketplace Platform is a great example of how BIDs are delivering local e-commerce platforms to help businesses innovate and stay resilient both during and after lockdown.”
BID St Andrews was launched in 2016 by the town’s businesses and aims to improve the aesthetic and economic environment of St Andrews. Other notable projects include the award-winning Clean & Green project, which supports the nature and beauty of St Andrews, and the organisation of annual St Andrew’s Day celebrations.
