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Net gain for the independents
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Affairs Editor12.11.07
A website for independent stores inspired by the Evening Standard's Save Our Small Shops campaign is proving a hit.
Independent businesses such as butchers, delicatessens and cafés can post their details free on the site, www.welovelocal.com, where they can be rated and reviewed by customers.
The founders say the idea is to encourage electronic word of mouth about retailers who are struggling against the huge advertising budgets of nat ional chains as well as suffering increasing rents.
The site went live in the summer with London listings but will be rolled out nationwide next week because of the "overwhelming" response.
Co-founder Max Jennings, 28, said: "There are 100,000 businesses listed on the site and just under 5,000 users in London. We only launched to see if the small business community wanted to get involved and have been taken aback by their enthusiasm."
The ratings system means that good businesses will stand out quickly because people searching for, say, greengrocers in their area can select them by their average mark.
Mr Jennings said: "The best businesses are typically the small, independent traders who are also doing the most for the community. Once you have identified the best, you can check out the profile of the reviewers, an 18-year-old will have different expectations froma 65-year-old.
"Businesses can update their information regularly and also respond to reviews so they can explain why service was poor on a particular day or thank people for positive things they said."
Mr Jennings, who set up the site with his brother Duncan, said they were aware of the intense pressures facing small shops because their mother had run a gift shop.
Reader views (2)
I think the Web is going to play and increasing important part for small local businesses too. I really do. I think there are still a lot of businesses who can't see how best to use the Web to promote themselves effectively but they should be encouraged by the likes of welovelocal.com.
- Martin Moody, UK
These sites are great, if a friend can't recommend something I often check out reviews on websites like welovelocal.com and thebestof.co.uk to find a decent local restaurant or plumber or whatever. It's what the Internet should be all about! Thanks guys.
- Deborah Little, Richmond, UK
