A NEW website to encourage people to shop locally has been launched in Guiseley.

ShopAppy.com was extended to the town by its founder Jackie Mulligan, who is hoping to persuade people to shop closer to home and to level the playing field between major retailers and smaller shops. Ms Mulligan chose Otley as one of the two flagship Yorkshire towns in which to launch her idea last year. Now she is hoping the scheme will catch on in Guiseley.

She said: "We are so lucky in Yorkshire to have a great range of independents. But they do have to work very hard to survive with the pressure of online giants and major retailers and supermarkets surrounding them. This event provides a great opportunity for people to take their own tour of local shops both online and in person in Guiseley as well as Saltaire, Shipley and Otley.”

Guiseley business owner Richard Arnott of PC Ideas was the first businessman in Guiseley to sign-up.

"I love this concept that brings local shops together in one place so it makes us all much easier to find," he said. "I hope residents and visitors have a look at the site to see what they have on their doorstep."

Diane Lee, from Flowers by Karen, who is helping to promote the scheme, said: "This is about us all working together to level the playing field for local businesses."

The Station Pub will be the click and collect point for ShopAppy in Guiseley ensuring people will be able to browse and order.

Ms Mulligan added: "This is just the start for Guiseley, we expect more shops and services in Guiseley to join over the coming weeks."