Our response to the crisis:
Throughout lockdown, we continued our business support and guidance.
MyTown/TwickTraders Online Shopping Platform
“A better way to shop”
The TwickTraders platform was originally created by Discover Twickenham BID to increase the online visibility of Twickenham’s local shops. It became a very useful immediate response to C-19.
The original concept was to create a one-stop, multi-retailer platform that emulated (in a small way) the comprehensive range of products offered by the large online retailers.
The service is aimed at local customers who want to support local businesses and those who may be uncomfortable with the operational practices of some large online retailers.
TwickTraders has now joined forces with the London Borough of Richmond and MyTown, a well established shopping platform offering similar services to independent retailers across the country. The investment that the Council and MyTown are making in this new partnership will result in a substantial upscaling of the range of products available to customers. MyTown is a well established, successful online platform with a fleet of e-cargo bikes and riders who will undertake all of the local deliveries.
The new TwickTraders/MyTown platform is now live Twickenham. It will be free to use for all Twickenham retailers for the first year.
TwickTraders/MyTown is a brand through which Twickenham retailers can co-promote locally available products as an ethical, Twickenham alternative to the large online retailers. TwickTraders are independent retailers that:
• Employ local people
• Enhance our neighbourhood
• Invest in Twickenham
• Help keep our High Street alive
• Pay tax fairly
Click to view the TwickTraders/MyTown site.
For more information, please email n.heaphy@discovertwickenham.co.uk
Driving the right footfall
Having postponed all BID events for the near future, we have set our sights on driving footfall back to our businesses. Our plans are now focused on driving footfall across the town centre without any large gatherings and in line with government guidelines.
During the lockdown, we have been working with TW Magazine to promote businesses and offer free listings in the magazine. We have also been promoting our businesses through our social media channels. We will continue to encourage residents to shop local while the high street is in the process of re-opening.
We are constantly working with Richmond Borough Council to assist in making sure our consumers, residents and workers journey into the town centre is the safest and most affordable it can be.
Understanding and using data
Through observing our members re-opening plans, we can understand trends that occur across sectors and locations through the town centre. We are using this data to forecast challenges and opportunities that will arise.
We are closely monitoring European towns and city trends to see how their reopening plans were implemented and effectively developed. By doing so, we can adopt a variety of tried and tested practices for the town centre.
Government and Industry guidelines on operating safely
Government advice and support
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Richmond Borough Council
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches
MIND support
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/
British Retail Consortium guidance
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/social-distancing-in-retailstores-and-warehouses/
Federation of Small Businesses
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
Institute of Hospitality
https://www.instituteofhospitality.org/guidance-and-support-duringthe-coronavirus-crisis/