A young Darlington entrepreneur who swapped a jockey’s life and numerous broken bones to launch a business supporting local High Streets is expanding and creating new jobs.
Twenty-four-year old Andy Bartlett, who jumped for world-class racehorse trainer Alan Swinbank, set up the Roam Local app two years ago due to his experience of riding in towns and cities where he didn’t know the best places to visit, shop, eat and drink.
He said: “I saw that there was a real need for a single source of information that would help people discover the hidden retail gems and perfect venues in places new to them quickly. The High Street’s recent struggles also meant there was a great cause to support as well. The app is really a digital High Street at people’s fingertips.”
The Roam Local app helps businesses market themselves to, and retain, customers and allows visitors to navigate towns and cities like a local, wherever they are.
One of the first places Andy Bartlett’s app was adopted was by businesses in Grange Road in Darlington. He is also working with Stockton BID and similar BID initiatives in Yorkshire. From these initial clients Roam Local has now expanded to cover 500 businesses in the North East with further national expansion plans. He has also already created four jobs with many mor in the pipeline.
Andy Bartlett said: “My aim is to champion and support the independent high-street businesses that underpin local economies, help sustain local communities and bring businesses and consumers together to support each other.”
As well as the promotional advantages Roam Local can also be used to support safety for people out and about in towns and cities as their movements can be tracked by their friends on the app if they become separated.
Roam Local is a member of North East England Chamber of Commerce which has produced a report on how to regenerate the High Street and highlighted the advantages of promoting independent retailers so each area has a distinct personality.
Alison Preston, Chamber relationship manager said: “We are delighted to be able to support Andy’s business through our network of contacts. He is a fantastic example of young entrepreneurship and I’m sure he will achieve even more success in the coming months.”