Hereford Highstreet must benefit from online opportunities

12.51.00pm GMT Thu 29th Jan 2009

Sarah Carr is working with local employers like Alan Williams to find new ways to promote Hereford businesses.

Local parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr is today urging support for Herefordshire retailers through the difficult economic times by supporting efforts to sell their products online.

Through meeting with local businesses over the last few weeks, Sarah Carr has found that a number of well established Herefordshire businesses receive a large income from their Internet activities, helping to offset any down turn in customers on the High Street. However, this is not always possible for independent and smaller retailers.

An online ordering service for small retailers in Shrewsbury has proved successful in allowing independent retailers to have an internet presence at relatively low cost.

Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Carr said,

"I know that stores that do no trade online may be suffering more than most as they have fewer potential customers. It is vital that organisations set up to help commerce, such as Advantage West Midlands, do all they can to help local businesses to get on line in Herefordshire.

"The example in Shrewsbury shows what can be done when there is a concerted effort. I want to see the same for independent retailers in Herefordshire to help them fight the down turn.

"This is not a substitute for other measures also required such as the Conservative County Council ending its obsession with the Edgar Street Grid, but it can provide much needed additional income at a time when many shops are struggling to survive.

"Today I have written to Advantage West Midlands urging them to provide support for what could be a lifeline to a number of businesses."