ROMSEY Town is fighting back against online consumerism with its own digital version of the high street.

High street shops and local businesses across the UK face an uncertain future as more and more consumers spend goes to the online giants.

Romsey has launched its own virtual high street making it easier for locals to shop closer to home.

Romsey Town Council will be enabling independent shops and businesses right across the area to join the collective local shopping and business website, Shopappy.com which has partnered with the council.

The partnership will enable local businesses to use the ShopAppy platform free for the first 12 months as the town council is using some of the Government and European Regional Development Welcome Back Funding that was allocated to Test Valley, to pay for the first 12 months subscription.

The project is also supported by Romsey Future and The Romsey Chamber of Commerce.

ShopAppy.com aims to makes it easier for people to support their local high street and businesses from their home at no extra cost.

Shoppers can browse ahead of their visit, book online, buy, collect and when a delivery partner is confirmed, get home delivery from numerous independent shops and businesses in the area.

The digital shop window also influences people to visit the town.

Lisa Mortimer, Town and Tourism co-ordinator at Romsey Town Council explains: "This website is accessible with no download required - it will really showcase what Romsey businesses can provide. Romsey businesses are invited to join this online local marketplace to make it easier for people to support local. This is not just about shops. ShopAppy.com can help services, trades, B2B businesses, chefs, pop-ups, entertainers, and market stalls with bookings, click and collect, home delivery and can even host virtual events such as fairs, all ways in which online can support our economic recovery. We will be offering free use to all businesses and community organisations across Romsey to subscribe at no cost for the next 12 months.”

Businesses can register at shopappy.com/vendor.

Assistance is provided by the ShopAppy.com team to help those new to technology as well as businesses who may already be selling online.

The founder of ShopAppy.com, Dr Jackie Mulligan, says: “We’re very excited to be working in Romsey and partnering with the council on the launch of ShopAppy.com here. It could not be a more critical time for businesses to work together and make it easier for locals to spend closer to home. When we spend local, our spend stays local and it’s better for the planet – so whether you use ShopAppy to browse and go in person or to book something or shop online, you can easily help the area in which you live – because where you spend matters for local jobs, local businesses and the community.”