New era dawns for Think Local initiative
A unique initiative that promotes local trading across Staffordshire is setting its sights on recruiting its 1,000th business after moving into private ownership.
(TL4B), originally formed by the eight Staffordshire district councils and the county council, has grown to 900 members with an estimated £500,000 of sales done via the online platform to date.
As part of ambitious expansion plans, the local authorities have agreed to create a limited company that will be driven by a private sector board headed up by local business owner Peter Farmer.
This will give the initiative greater freedom to implement new and exciting developments and the opportunity to raise investment through sponsorship and advertising – all geared towards bringing more trade back into Staffordshire.
"We've proven that there is a demand out there for local companies to do business together and now is the time to really take it to the next level," explained Mr Farmer, who is also managing director of the Grapevine.
"By taking the concept into private ownership we have the option to make decisions quicker and, for the first time, can be innovative in the way we raise money to plough back into 'Think Local 4 Business'.
He added: "I'm delighted that five of the existing local authorities are also staying involved as they recognise the value of what we are trying to do.
"These include East Staffordshire Council, Lichfield Council, South Staffordshire Council, Stafford Council and Tamworth Council."
Registering on TL4B is free of charge to companies in Staffordshire, with each firm able to upload a profile that features contact details, description of services/products and the ability – like Facebook and Twitter – to upload status updates, photos, videos and new discussions.
Board member James Roberts said: "The amount of business participation has progressively increased and brought in at least £500,000 of inter-trading.
"With the new impetus gained from being a limited company, I'm convinced we can double the existing 900 members within a year and smash the £1m barrier in the process."
Lichfield-based Beautiful Gardens is one company that has already benefited from its involvement in Think Local 4 Business.
The landscape gardeners and architects has been using the website for more than three years as a way of sourcing potential local suppliers and securing new business opportunities.
Managing director Simon Roberts said: "Through TL4B, we were made aware of a tender that Lichfield District Council was putting out that involved the landscaping of an open space in the City. We put a bid in for the work and were privileged to win.
"The natural play area, adjacent to Nether Stowe School in Lichfield, involved creating grassy mounds, planting semi-mature trees and positioning of large oak logs and sandstone bounders – a project we're really proud of and one we wouldn't have known about without the TL4B website.
"Another benefit we've seen is an increase in profile and traffic to www.beautifulgardens.co.uk, which is great news as we've recently launched an e-commerce facility where you can buy garden products, accessories and gifts."
