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Welcome to the on-line version of the current Local Shops On-Line newsletter.
If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the LSOL newsletter or have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail us - we look forward to hearing from you!
This edition's features:
LSOL is a SELL OUT!! (David Williams, Business Link Surrey)
Get On Board (Alan Fisher, LSOL)
Member Profile - Fire Your Imagination (Sam Whitaker, LSOL)
Local Shops On-Line is a SELL OUT - by David Williams at Business Link Surrey
The Local Shops On-Line pilot project has been developing and running in Surrey, Kent and on the Isle of Wight since April 2001. It is designed for small local independent shops to encourage and enable them to use a computer, e-mail and the Internet to benefit their business.
The project makes it possible for retailers and suppliers to communicate freely with each other. By developing their Internet skills members have the ability to source information at the touch of a button - in many cases this can lead to them making savings and allows them to run their businesses more efficiently.
The take-up has been stunning.
The target was to engage 80 shops during the pilot phase, but over 140
have signed up so far - 75% over the target!
To get started, all the local shops required was the use of a computer and a wish to develop their business. A toolkit manual was produced, which, in-conjunction with a special web site, takes members step by step through the process of buying and using a computer for business use.
The aim was to get a wide range of shops involved, from the rural 'village' shop to the semi-urban 'corner' shop - LSOL has exceeded this aim by recruiting a wide variety of independent retailers across the pilot areas including stationers, bakeries and even a hotel and a ceramics studio!
The Local Shops On-Line pilot project has now been completed and has been so successful that it will be rolled out across the South of England from February. We are committed to assisting independent retailers to get online and reap the benefits for their business. If you'd like to find out more about Local Shops Online call 01306 730 300.
WEB LINKS:
Get On Board - by Alan Fisher at Local Shops On-Line
Welcome to the new edition of the LSOL newsletter. As you will have seen in David Williams's opening piece, LSOL is going from strength to strength!
Over the coming months we will be in touch to find out how you are progressing with getting 'on-line', and discovering how we may be able to tailor LSOL to meet your needs.
To mark the rollout of LSOL, the web site has undergone a makeover to reflect the project development during the pilot stage. We hope you like the new look and find the information on the site really useful. If you haven't done so already, apply for your free mini website and become part of the LSOL on-line community.
We very much look forward to working with you in 2002 and welcome your comments and suggestions on any aspect of Local Shops On-Line.
Member Profile - Fire Your Imagination - by Sam Whitaker at Local Shops On-Line
Liz McAllister is one of Local Shops On-Line's newest members. Her studio 'Fire Your Imagination' opened its doors in June 2000. The studio stocks an extensive range of biscuit-fired (undecorated) ceramic items ranging from plates to mugs, jugs, vases, pots and even piggy banks! Visitors get to choose what they would like to decorate and then sit down with an array of colourful paints and a mug of coffee and get to work creating an original and personal piece of design.
Computers have been invaluable to Liz ever since she first decided to set up Fire Your Imagination. Before she started her business Liz used spreadsheet software to calculate her cash flow and determine whether her new venture would be a success. With Fire Your Imagination now firmly and successfully established, Liz is never without her 'mobile' office, which comprises one laptop computer and some carefully selected software packages: an accounting programme, word processor, database and the Internet to ensure the smooth and efficient running of her business wherever she may be. The Fire Your Imagination web site is also an important business tool, and Liz is in the process of learning how to develop and update the site herself.
Liz believes that local businesses should support each other, and this was one of the principle reasons why she decided to join Local Shops On-Line. By belonging to a group such as LSOL, local businesses are given a collective voice, something Liz feels is particularly important.
She hopes that by becoming a member of the project she will improve links with other businesses and discover local suppliers that she didn't previously know about. Liz would like to get her business supplies locally if the price is competitive, so as a result of being an LSOL member, she hopes that there may be the opportunity to 'barter' services with other LSOL members - studio fees and commissions all have the potential to be offered at a reduced rate to fellow LSOL members who can offer a good deal in exchange.
Although initially designed for 'corner shops', Local Shop On-Line has attracted an amazing array of different retail outlets - current members range from fishing tackle suppliers to health shops, hair salons to bakers and ice cream suppliers to trout farms.
WEB LINKS:
If you would like to hear more about the project or get involved, please contact:
Telephone Helpline: 01306 730 300
Email: info@e-shopslink.net