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An entrepreneur's innovative idea to set up a Yellow Pages online equivalent for high street shops is hoped to help them overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
Previously ITV’s Young Business Person of the Year, Calypso Rolph has masterminded Deal Delivers, an online catalogue of independent shops which are still offering their services and products.
The website, recorded in alphabetical order, lists more than 70 shops and marketeers such as Hoxton Store, Bonne Bombe, Kingsdown Bread and Jenkins & Son fishmongers who have joined in the scheme.
It was set up in three days and now receives between 500 and 1,000 visitors a day with each business managing its own sales and delivery.
Ms Rolph said: "It was the last Saturday before official lockdown that it became clear to me that the previously vibrant high street of Deal was going to suffer.
"The weekly farmers' market was closing and we were all told to stay home. Cafés, craft shops and the local artisan's livelihoods cut off.
"My initial reaction was one of panic. How could I bring Deliveroo to Deal by Monday?
"Action was needed and I raced around the shops and market on that final Saturday asking if anyone had thought about offering delivery after lockdown and getting details.
"Using my own money and Rob Hough the nifty developer we set up ‘Dealdelivers.com’ - one week after lockdown and the site was live and populated.
"Local shops prepared to deliver could list for free online and then be in charge of their own payments - a very simple, hyper-local, Yellow Pages."
The town which was named High Street of the Year by the Daily Telegraph in 2013 has suffered in recent years with the departure of retailers like M&S and New Look.
Deal Town Council has recognised Ms Rolph's efforts, awarding a £724 grant from its £10,000 emergency grant fund to help local organisations amid the pandemic.
Having self funded the initial set up, she says she will use the money for marketing and maintaining the Facebook page which has almost 4,000 members.
Ms Rolph said: "Residents of Deal are shopping local, supporting their favourite high street independents and discovering new ones.
"Everything from a watering can and balloons to olive oil and cocktails can now be found waiting on the doorsteps of Deal.
"It would appear that Amazon has been forgotten. This is a community working at it’s best.
"The high street is not going to be beaten - indeed they may even find they are busier than ever once this is over, as they have connected with customers who were previously unaware of their existence."
Ms Rolph is now encouraging other towns to do the same thing.
Deal Town Council has also awarded grants to Age Concern's Deal Centre for the Retired and Dover, Deal & District CAB. They received the largest sums of £2,000 each.
Community interest companies Deal Radio and Cinque Ports Community Kitchen - Chequers Kitchen Cookery School have received £1,210 and £500, respectively.
The fund is aimed at assisting community groups, clubs or small local businesses to provide vital services to the community. Further applications are welcomed and will be considered weekly.
To apply please visit deal.gov.uk for guidelines and an application form.
For further information email deal.town.council@deal.gov.uk or call 07555292446
To shop locally, go to dealdelivers.com
