A directory of independent shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and markets is making it easier to shop local in Hackney during lockdown.
My Virtual Hackney launched this week – a partnership between Hackney Council and My Virtual Neighbourhood. And, in time for the festive season, it includes a brilliant local gift directory too.
Visit the My Virtual Hackney directory HERE.
Its launch is part of the Council’s Love Hackney, Shop Local campaign, which aims to help small businesses and make it convenient for residents to support local retailers even during this second lockdown.
Basil Fansa, of My Virtual Neighbourhood, said: “Almost every business we’ve listed offers click and collect or local delivery. It’s extraordinary how much small businesses have improved their offering to ensure that, even when they’re forced to close their doors, they can continue to serve local communities. It’s wonderful to be working with Hackney Council on this – together we can make life easier for the borough’s 280,000 residents and give independent businesses a boost in these challenging times.”
(Basil Fansa, co-founder of My Virtual Neighbourhood)
The directory offers listings for each area of Hackney and, as well as the gift directory, there’s a special page dedicated to markets.
Basil added: “With only essential shops allowed to open during lockdown, market traders have been badly hit – but many have websites and deliver and they’re a brilliant source of gifts!”
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Planning Culture and Inclusive Economy, said: “Hackney’s retail offer is second-to-none and caters for all budgets, styles, tastes and needs. We’re fortunate to have such a variety of quality businesses literally on our doorsteps so the time has come for us all to pull together as one community to support our local businesses and traders and make sure that when COVID has passed we have a strong business community able to serve us into the future.”
The directory, which can be found at www.lovehackney.uk/shop-local, features up-to-date opening hours of Hackney businesses as well as details of how each business is currently trading (whether open in person or taking orders online or via email or telephone).
Find out which independent businesses near you are open or delivering to your community: Click HERE to find your virtual neighbourhood
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