News / High Street
Launch of virtual guide for Bristol’s high streets
A new online programme is seeking to support the many high street businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions as they embark on the road to recovery.
Retailers across the city are invited to sign up to access free social media tools and training as part of the initiative, which will also enable traders to communicate with and reward shoppers once stores reopen.
The launch of the virtual High Street Guide is the result of a collaboration between Bristol City Council and Maybe* Tech and is designed to help businesses drive sales and widen their customer base.
It comes as research by Maybe* Tech reveals only 58.2 per cent of high street businesses in the city use social media and only 26.3 per cent of those are actively on social media each day.
Businesses on Bristol’s 47 high streets are invited to sign up to the virtual programme – photo by Ellie Pipe
“Our research revealed that 66 per cent of shoppers look online for inspiration, says Polly Barnfield OBE, the CEO of Maybe*.
“The High Street Guide groups all social media content by location to encourage people to browse their local high street, and when they reopen, they will be rewarded for their local spend.
“High streets need infrastructure that until now has only been available for online businesses. They need to communicate with shoppers in real time and be able to showcase what’s available.
“In order to compete, high street businesses need to up their digital game, promote their physical stores and collaborate.
“Our aim is to enable shoppers to have a better shopping experience, discover businesses that may not have known before and provide businesses with the tools to reward their customers for their high street spend.”
The technology gives businesses the opportunity to engage with each other, creating a network of connected traders that can support and promote each other across social media. There are also practical suggestions and tools to help organisations connect with their audience, improve their return on investment and understand how to stay ahead of their competition.
It also enables shoppers to see businesses near them, view their social media content, engage and shop online.
Afzal Shah, Bristol’s cabinet member for climate, ecology & sustainable growth, adds: “During the pandemic we become increasingly aware just how important having social media skills are for our high street businesses to maintain contact with their customer base. By adopting the Maybe* engagement platform we are providing 12 months free access for all our high street businesses.”
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: Extension of free career support scheme
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
