Posted on: Tuesday 28 May 2024
Businesses are being offered free digital support, thanks to a collaboration between Torfaen Council and a local digital solutions company.
The project is offering 200 businesses the chance of a bespoke website with digital support for 12 months, social media support and a year-long subscription to the Uddr app, which promotes local businesses, trades and services.
Around 110 businesses have already signed up to initiative, led by Uddr digital services.
Among them is Daniel Jobbins, owner of Bancroft Garage, in Pontypool. Daniel said: "I first started at the garage when I was 14 as an apprentice and having a website for a trade such as this back then seemed crazy.
"But having taken ownership of Bancroft Garage this year I felt we had to get a website and move with the times and I'm so glad we did.
"The first week the website went in place we started getting bookings online straight away - I saved so much time taking calls for bookings. The fact it is really easy to update it myself is very important."
David Smith, CEO and founder of Uddr, said: "Every business deserves access to a website, which is essential in the digital age of 2024.
"Via our Uddify delivery mechanism, local businesses can thrive through innovative digital solutions. This collaboration follows a previous one in 2022 and is helping to drive positive change and economic growth, with over 300 individual website packages rolled out so to date."
Figures show that on average, businesses see a 50 per cent increase in online customer engagement thanks to the package.
Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: "We are very pleased to be working with a local business that's helping other local businesses grow. Supporting businesses and connecting people digitally are part of our County Plan.
"The figures speak for themselves with companies seeing an immediate increase in customer enquiries thanks to this project."
Business interested in registering for free digital support can visit the Uddr website before March 2025.
For information about Bancroft Garage visit their website.
The project is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and follows a similar initiative between Torfaen Council and Uddr in 2022, funded by the Community Renewal Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
(Photo credit: David Smith, from Uddr, and Daniel Jobbins)