A COUNCIL leader has urged people to make full use of a new website aimed at supporting businesses and tradespeople in North Yorkshire during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Councillor Carl Les, knows all about the importance of having loyal local customers from his days running the family business, Leeming Bar Services, which his parents opened in 1961 and was sold six years ago.

The ‘North Yorkshire Buy Local’ website was established by the county council last month and has quickly built momentum, with nearly 500 businesses registering on the easy-to-use online directory. The website is free to use and free for businesses to register on.

“We are delighted by the response,” said Councillor Les. “Initially, we set out to help food outlets that could deliver, but we quickly realised there was a lot more scope, and it has grown into something much broader.”

The site features a wide range of North Yorkshire businesses that can operate during the lockdown restrictions. Categories represented include food suppliers, retailers, property services, transport, professional services, and accommodation for key workers.

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“As the council for North Yorkshire, it is in our interests to promote people who live and work in the county, and the Buy Local website is a great way for us to do that,” said Cllr Les.

Despite the excellent response, the council is keen for more businesses to sign up, and for local people to adopt the website as an easy reference point to source goods and services.

“We are very lucky in North Yorkshire to have a wealth of great businesses, with fantastic goods on offer, and first-class services, so it makes complete sense to keep it local wherever we can.

“Buy Local is a philosophy I’ve always believed in and one we try to follow on the council, within the procurement regulations.”

The council leader believes that the foundations can be laid to continue to build on the “Buy Local” theme after the lockdown has been lifted.

“It’s vital that some lessons are learned during this crisis and one of them can be a greater emphasis on supporting local businesses wherever we can,” he said.

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Professional photographer Charlotte Gale, based in Knaresborough, runs one of the hundreds of businesses that have registered on the website. Seven weeks have passed since Charlotte’s last photo shoot, so she has turned her full attention to her other business, Pictur-esque Greeting Cards.

“I was one of the first to sign up to Buy Local with the aim of pushing my online sales and adapting to the current situation. It’s a great place for people to go and find those businesses that are still operating. Hopefully, it will encourage customers to shop with me even when the lockdown is over.”

When Rachel Fell’s shower broke during the lockdown, she turned to the Buy Local website and found BSA Electrical, run by Luke Boston.

“Buy Local is a great way for local businesses to offer their services during the ongoing circumstances,” said Luke. “Within 24 hours of the enquiry coming in, we were able to attend the site, replace a faulty electric shower for new, and provide a functional washing facility for the family to use.”

Rachel added: “Using Buy Local meant I could find Luke quickly and easily, and I would definitely use the site again.”

The Council would invite any business within North Yorkshire that is trading at the moment to register.

  • Businesses interested in being promoted on the site can supply relevant information with the council aiming to have it verified within 24 hours during working days. Once approved, residents can deal with those businesses directly.
  • Tradespeople permitted to work under the Covid-19 restrictions include plumbers, electricians, builders, handymen and gardeners.
  • Businesses that can trade include: supermarkets and other food shops; medical services, such as dental surgeries, opticians and audiology clinics, physiotherapy clinics, chiropody and podiatry clinics and other professional vocational medical services; pharmacies and chemists; petrol stations; bicycle shops; hardware shops and equipment, plant and tool hire; veterinary surgeries and pet shops; agricultural supplies shops; corner shops and newsagents; off-licences and licensed shops selling alcohol; launderettes and dry cleaners; post offices; vehicle rental services; taxis; car garages and MoT services; car parks; high street banks, building societies, short-term loan providers and credit unions; and storage and distribution facilities.
  • To register on the site, or use it as a customer, go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/buy-local