A NEW shopping website is set to give a boost to independent businesses in Northallerton through an innovative local shopping platform.

The website, ShopAppy.com, was founded by Yorkshire entrepreneur Jackie Mulligan who wanted to give independent businesses a better chance of competing with major brand retailers online.

She was inspired to create the site after feeling frustrated that she could not support her own local shops as much as she would like as they are usually shut outside of office working hours.

ShopAppy enables customers to buy online any time and collect their goods from a local hub at a time that suits them.

After successful launches in Saltaire, Otley and Ilkley, the site has now been launched in Northallerton, with a host of traders signing up to the scheme.

Ms Mulligan, who has already appeared on BBC’s The One Show to discuss the website, hopes it will prove a success in Northallerton.

She said: “We are so lucky in Yorkshire to have a great range of independents.

“But they do have to work very hard to survive with the pressure of online giants and major retailers and supermarkets surrounding them.

“There are many customers, like me, who would like to spend more locally but lack the time to do so. ShopAppy.com brings local shops, services and their products together in one place so that we can get convenience with a local conscience.”

Northallerton business owner Marcus Grover of Grovers was the first business in Northallerton to sign-up.

He said: “I love the fact that this site enables us all to promote the Northallerton shops together in one place – with a great offering we want people to think local first and help small businesses.”