The Westerton Arms in Bridge of Allan has become the first local business to go live on the ‘High Street First’ app.
The app has been launched across the Stirling local authority in support of the national Scotland Loves Local campaign.
The Westerton Arms, Bridge of Allan’s oldest local pub, has worked with the team from High Street First Scotland to launch their table ordering service in time for indoor re-opening.
The High Street First app connects customers to local businesses for an effortless shopping experience from your phone or tablet.
Customers can use the app to browse local shops, place orders and arrange for collection or delivery of a wide selection of products including cards, gifts, flowers, home wear, hardware, specialist drinks, butcher meats, fruit and vegetables, dry goods, and other daily essentials.
The High Street First initiative was born in Stirling and was created to support small businesses to do the best they can to keep going in these difficult times.
Once lockdown restrictions were changed, the pub was able to reopen their beer garden, with an added extension in the carpark.
With indoor seating now opening the app will allow the team at The Westerton to take orders and payments with limited contact.
The initiative is supported by The Scottish Government’s BID’s resilience fund, Discover Dunblane, Stirling Council, Scotland’s Towns Partnership, and Go Forth Stirling BID.
Kale Buchanan, General Manager, said: “It’s great to be back open and serving our regular customers again and seeing some new faces too.
“Through the app we are now able to ensure that our customers and staff are safe. Through the digital ordering service the only contact with customers that servers have have is to deliver the drinks to the tables.
“It’s imperative that we maintain social distancing and we have also installed hand sanitising stations in order to encourage our customers to regularly wash their hands.
“The High Street First app allows us to meet government guidelines and continue the great service that the Westy has to offer.”
Alyn Smith, MP, met with business owner, Alan Falconer to discuss the new initiative.
Falconer said: “It’s great to get our local MP down for a visit. The village is just starting to get back on its feet and business are trying to get back to a kind of normality.
“Using the… app has helped us a lot with reopening and it’s a pleasure to be the first business to go live.
“I’ve always been a supporter of shopping local, but now is the time to really promote that message.”
Alyn Smith MP said: “It’s great to see business like the Westerton Arms welcoming folk back in again, with all of the safety and social distancing measures in place.
“This has been a really difficult time for businesses, and this is a vital time to make sure we’re getting out and supporting them where we can.
“These are strange times, and we will likely have to stick with some level of social distancing for some time to come. To ensure that this is maintained safely in shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes, apps like this allow customers to order whilst minimising physical contact.
“It’s a really exciting project, and I look forward to further business and services being introduced.”
The High Street First app has been downloaded more than 1000 times by Stirling residents. A further fourteen local businesses are preparing to go live over the next few weeks.
The app will enable Stirling locals to safely and easily shop as the Covid-19 restart continues on high streets across the community’s authority area.
You can download the High Street First app from the app store for iPhone and iPad, and on Google Play for Android devices.
Feature Image Credit: High Street First
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