The popular market town of Skipton has an excellent reputation for shopping. People flock to Skipton by the coach load to browse the town’s award-winning markets and eclectic array of independent shops.
Having already been closed for a number of weeks and now facing at least another three being unable to trade, many independent retailers are seeking new ways to sell their products. Some of Skipton’s independent shops have ecommerce websites in place and are taking orders online. Many without e-commerce sites have adapted as best as they can by introducing new delivery services and inviting customers to order via their existing Facebook pages. For some, digital marketing is a very new and alien tool.
Selling solely online when one is used to relying on footfall and face-to-face sales can be a difficult task for some. With so many other retailers competing within the same space, remaining visible to one’s target audience can be tricky – particularly for those business owners who aren’t confident on social media.
At The Yorkshire Press, we have expressed our views regarding local shopping on numerous occasions and within countless articles. We have strived to support and promote local independent businesses because we understand that behind each one, there are people who are passionate about what they do and have so much to lose should things go wrong. Since the lockdown rules were implemented, the majority of our local shops have had little to no income and with rents, rates and invoices still to pay, these are deeply worrying times for each of them.
On Wednesday 22nd April, some of Skipton’s most popular retailers and crafters will be joining forces for an online shopping event hosted by ourselves. Between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm, they will showcase their available products and take customer orders in the Independent Skipton Facebook group. It’s a simple concept but will provide our local businesses with a new audience to which they can promote their goods and will give local (and non-local) customers an opportunity to support them. There will be some wonderful, unique products available to purchase and each business owner will be online and ready to answer any enquiries.
If there is something you need and you’re planning to indulge in a spot of online shopping, we ask that you kindly refrain from heading to the websites of major online retailers and check out what our local businesses are offering first. Here are just a few of the local businesses who will be taking part in our Independent Skipton – Online Market event:
- Chocolates & Truffles
- Sarsaparillas Sweet Shop
- Discount Sports
- Kimora Fashion & Lifestyle
- The Geek Side
- Cool Cards & Gifts
- Not So Shabby
- Style House Interiors
- Yorkshire Dales Crafts
- Choice Baskets
- Bags of Style
Please pop over to the Independent Skipton Facebook group on Wednesday 22nd April and help us to help Skipton’s independent shop owners. We don’t yet know how long it will be before our local shops can reopen, and we sincerely hope that when the time does come, Skipton’s shopping scene will be the same as it was before COVID-19. To confirm your attendance and help spread the word, please RSVP to and share the Facebook event.
