You can now visit shops in Berkhamsted online thanks to a new website which aims to support local businesses.
Loql, a Berkhamsted based not-for-profit consortium of technologists and local businesspeople, have created an online store for the whole of Berkhamsted that any local shop or restaurant can use to take digital orders.
They believe that by combining the power of digital and the convenience of the high street, they can create brilliant customer experiences and loyalty to local businesses.
Matt Lindop (pictured), founder of Loql, explained: “This platform is not about decreasing high street footfall, but about enabling those locals who would normally shop online, to do it locally.
“The bar to entry for digital is too high, making it hard for independent retailers to keep up with customer expectations.”
The company’s ambitions aren’t just digital though. The explosion in online shopping during COVID has also led to a huge increase in delivery vehicles on our roads, creating emissions, pollution and congestion – often while rewarding delivery drivers poorly.
In partnership with another local company, Estarli, Loql are about to start piloting a zero-emission electric vehicle service for the town’s businesses to be able to call on.
While this model is just being rolled out in Berkhamsted, the team’s plans are much wider.
Matt said: “We’re designing this to work in and for any community.
“The secret is getting businesses to realise they’re not competing with each other, and can reduce costs, improve customer service and even create more jobs and training opportunities by working more closely together.”
Go to berko.loql.ly to shop local.
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