Edinburgh Experiences: New interactive platform launched to aid local businesses

Edinburgh's top lockdown listings directory has launched the interactive online 'Edinburgh Experiences' to further support businesses suffering lost revenue.

Hosted by shop owners, each experience gives locals a taste of the town with customers able to join live sessions such as wine tastings and massage workshops, which are accompanied by products delivered to their door in time for the event.

This latest feature on Edinburgh Lockdown Economy is designed to kick-start businesses with a new revenue stream that keeps people entertained while still interacting safely.

Hopes of extra boost for busineses

Tom Harries, who set up Edinburgh Lockdown Economy, said: "This new addition to the site provides an opportunity to resume trading for anyone struggling to run their usual services. We hope that those businesses will get an extra boost by offering experiences in customers' own homes that can't otherwise be enjoyed."

Carol Jackson, CEO of Ellis Gin, spoke about their artisan gin tasting which is currently listed as one of the site's first Experiences.

She said: "We've seen huge interest already. We are excited to introduce a local audience to our handcrafted Scottish gin as well as tell the story of our brand. We love to socialise and this provides us with a great opportunity to let our hair down, meet new people and have a laugh."

Partnerships with local couriers

Tom and the team are backing local wherever they can and encourage the use of courier partners like Farr Out to encourage money to remain in the local economy and have a positive environmental impact.

James, who began Farr Out at the start of lockdown, said: "Three months in we are here to stay, providing zero-emissions delivery services to Edinburgh businesses.

"We've now made over 2700 deliveries and counting! Our Cargo Bikes can offer a solution to most delivery requirements, working in collaboration with others or replacing a van and giving small business owners they're evenings back as well."

Edinburgh Lockdown Economy lists over 700 local independent businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians with the aim of promoting the benefits of shopping locally by making it easier for peo-ple to discover something new nearby.

Tom lives in Musselburgh with his wife, a doctor at the Western General Hospital. He has nine years' experience consulting for companies like Jaguar Land Rover, NPower, Virgin Media Business and Bank of Scotland as a User Experience designer. Tom hosts local events for young entrepreneurs through the Yena network.