From independent shops direct to your doorstep
TRADITIONAL town centre shops are banding together to offer 24-hour online shopping.
The internet is blamed for the steady demise of British high streets.
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innovation: Beverley traders, from left, Peter Brinham, John Cant, Tracey Hartley and Jade Hartley, who have signed up to provide a new delivery business for independent firms in the town. Picture: Simon Renilson
Determined not to let that happen, several Beverley traders have signed up to a new scheme that will let them take online orders and provide home deliveries.
MaruMarket was launched by Beverley resident John Cant in an effort to wrest trade back from giant national retailers.
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Mr Cant said: "I was waiting to cross New Walkergate one day when I saw three supermarket delivery vans in a row and I wondered to myself just how much local businesses were missing out on home deliveries.
"Then it hit me. What if the local shops worked together? They could co-ordinate deliveries to make it really convenient for customers."
Mr Cant feels by clubbing together smaller Beverley shops will be able to offer the same convenience people expect from supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda.
MaruMarket.co.uk offers 24-hour shopping with home delivery until 10pm.
Four shops have joined the scheme so far. The shops involved are Ye Olde Pork Shoppe butcher in Butcher Row, H Peck & Son fishmonger in Wednesday Market, greengrocer & florist Fresh-n- Fruity in Dyer Lane and Beverley Market regular The Blending Room, which sells coffee and tea. The butcher, fishmonger and grocer are all well respected in Beverley for offering fresh produce, great value and personal service.
But they know the dominant forces in their market are Tesco and Morrisons.
The Blending Room roasts coffee to order and supplies several top hotels.
The principle of the scheme is that the smaller shops already enjoy enviable reputations and do not have complex supply chains so they can offer goods at competitive prices.
It will also provide a boost for Beverley's economy. Locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy.
Mr Cant admits he is unsure how successful his scheme will be. To give it the best chance he is trying to make the shopping experience simple.
Each shop's produce is listed on www.marumarket.co.uk where customers can order and pay with their debit or credit card.
The home delivery arrives as one package. So people can try out the service, Mr Cant is offering free delivery with the first order and from then on a delivery charge of £2.99 for Beverley residents.
Customers can choose delivery slots on Monday, Wednesday or Friday evenings. Visit www.marumarket.co.uk for more information.
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