Morpeth man's parcel service helping local pubs

Posted by The Journal on Aug 13, 09 09:30 AM in News

A man from is hoping to stamp his mark on a mission to breathe life back into local pubs.

Frustrated by the decline of the pub trade, Stuart Mills saw a way to help and set up his online service, which boosts trade by using local bars as collection points for people's parcels.

Householders and publicans who sign up to the scheme on www.useyourlocal.com arrange for their packages to be delivered to their local when they aren't home to collect them.

As a former Scottish & Newcastle employee, Stuart used his industry knowledge and passion for pubs to launch the service, with the full backing of his former company.

Stuart, who lives with his wife and two children Oliver, 8, and Elizabeth, 6, in Morpeth, said: "I adore the British pub and its importance as part of the fabric of our country. With the number of pub closures in Britain reaching 52 a week, useyourlocal.com helps pubs to take back their place in the community.

"We were always confident it was a great idea, but the response from people has been brilliant. More than 500 pubs across Britain have already signed up, with more registering every day.

"It's also about more than the parcels though. When pubs sign up they get their own website and the ability to e-mail their regulars.

"It's all about getting people through the door and helping pubs to regain their place at the heart of local communities."

Stuart hopes his venture will put the buzz back into communities.

"I've lived in the North East for 10 years," said the 38-year-old. "So I know how much people here value their local pub.

"By signing up to the site, people can show their support for their local and help it to survive these difficult times."

The service costs £50 per year for pubs to use, for which they get their own website, promotions kit, the ability to e-mail their customers directly from the site and the option to have parcels delivered to the pub.

It is free for the public to use and is open to all to join.

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