DownYourHighStreet - how it’s helping independent retailers to adapt

by Startacus Admin
With her high street store closed, some insights from one independent retailer on how adapting her business to an online platform has helped
Amanda Alexander is founder of Giddy Goat Toys in Didsbury on the outskirts of Manchester. Until the pandemic forced her to shut her doors the small independent business was ticking over nicely. But the pandemic changed all that.
The majority of Amanda’s sales were made in-store, with children and parents popping in to browse the toys and books before buying. Virtually no sales were made online, with less than £100 pcm being earnt that way.
Amanda had previously joined DownYourHighStreet.com, a free to join, low commission online marketplace aiming to create the world’s longest high street by connecting communities with commerce and giving the Great British High Street an online presence.
The DownYourHighStreet platform enables independent retailers to establish a visible online presence without the usual time and cost restraints.
When the lockdown started in March 2020, and Amanda was forced to close her doors, the impact of her decision to join DownYourHighStreet soon became clear.
Amanda explains: “Our sales started to hit £4,000 - £5,000 per month – all direct from DownYourHighStreet.com! We went from worrying that the business may have to close, to having our best month ever! Funnily enough it’s also meant I had to recruit extra people to help out once we re-opened after the first lockdown as we had to run both a shop and an online business...I hope that we will be able to keep all our staff on going forwards as we continue to serve both local people and deliver to our online customers too.”
DownYourHighStreet.com founder Dan Whytock adds: “Working with indie retailers like Amanda is what we love doing. Every small shop needs an online presence but trying to create and manage that yourself can be prohibitive. Since the start of the first lockdown we’ve signed up over 200 independent retailers to the platform and helped to save many of them from having to close permanently – which would be a disaster for our High Streets.”
Incidentally, how the retail sector and the High Street responds in our post-pandemic economy is a topic that we’ll be exploring at our upcoming LEVELUP event, more details of which will be announced soon. If you'd like to be kept up to date with this event, simply register your details and we'll kep you posted.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Want to gain an edge over your business competitors? Listening to your audience is an absolute must.

The Clothes Doctor mission to fight fast fashion continues as the innovative eco clothing care brand raises £1m to support further growth.

If you plan on using social media to promote your brand, these simple rules will help, increasing both brand awareness and the number of consumers.

High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.

The lowdown on Danish startup EvodiaBio and its innovative tech that produces sustainable aromas for the food and beverage industry.

Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.

Odd Coffee Company - the startup that's tackling coffee wastage by offering sustainably-sourced surplus coffee, rescued from British roasters.

Tech Nation shares an overview of the impact they have had on the UK's tech economy and ecosystem.

The lowdown on London-based Tutti and its digital marketplace that connects event space owners with the creatives wishing to book them.

UK-based and got a business idea with a link to colour or colouration? A new investment fund from The Dyers' Company is well worth a look.
Published on: 25th March 2021
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Leading French Travel Co. Offers Mentoring to two UK startups on its prestigious two-month programme 23rd Jan 2023 High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.
- Small businesses need new model for growth in recession 23rd Jan 2023 Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.
- Tech Nation responds to the DCMS Digital Growth Grant announcement 20th Jan 2023 Tech Nation shares an overview of the impact they have had on the UK's tech economy and ecosystem.
- Colour/dyeing industries- seed capital investment fund launches for UK entrepreneurs 19th Jan 2023 UK-based and got a business idea with a link to colour or colouration? A new investment fund from The Dyers' Company is well worth a look.