HERE'S your chance to shop locally without leaving your home - with free delivery if you're quick.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has joined forces with ShopAppy to offer free delivery on goods purchased using its e-commerce platform.

The free delivery offer commences today (Thursday, March 18) and is available on the first 200 orders on a first-come, first-served basis.

SWT and ShopAppy are subsidising deliveries locally, which will be undertaken by newly appointed delivery partner Somerset Sameday Couriers, who will always adhere to Covid-safe working practices when delivering.

SWT launched ShopAppy last October as part of its economic plans to help businesses recover from the impact of coronavirus.

The award-winning platform provides a simple-to-use, centralised online marketplace for residents to buy locally from businesses in Dulverton, Minehead, Taunton and Wellington.

A total of 110 businesses have now registered with the network, of which 53 are already live for customers to browse their virtual shop windows. The latest businesses to join are working hard in the background to upload their products, which will be available to view soon.

A variety of the products on offer include organic veg and fruit boxes from Lydeard Farm Shop; natural health and beauty products from Neal's Yard Remedies; desserts and baked delicacies from Shoreditch White; naturally fed, organic meats from Stillmans butchers; specially sourced, artisan jewellery from Silver Lady; calm inducing, scented candles from Blueberry; and fresh flower bouquets from Stems of Taunton.

Cllr Marcus Kravis, SWT executive member for economic development, said: "We’re excited to offer free delivery in partnership with ShopAppy on goods bought via their commendable online marketplace.

“Rather than sales being lost to global e-commerce retailers, we hope this incentive helps to keep spending within the district to support businesses and boost our local economies.

“I’d like to encourage our residents to take a look at the diverse range ShopAppy has on offer, and similarly, for local traders to sign up to ensure they don’t miss out on maximising their sales opportunities.”

ShopAppy's place partmerships and development manager Grace Newman said: “We are delighted to be working with Somerset West and Taunton Council on the launch of the ShopAppy.com platform.

“With our partnership with Visa helping us provide support to more small businesses across the UK, we are certain that this will provide a real and tangible benefit to businesses and the community at a time when they need it most and when many are discovering the value and importance of local shops and services.”

You can access ShopAppy via shopappy.com/