Online Christmas market aims to deliver boost to local businesses

Kirkcaldy’s first online Christmas market will go live this weekend in a bid to help local businesses compete with national Black Friday deals.

The forum will allow people to shop online and still shop local.

It is the brainchild of businesswoman Cara Forrester, who runs the web-based women’s magazine Queendom of Fife.

The Queendom’s online market will give people the choice to buy from Fife traders from the comfort of their own homes this festive season, as well as giving those further afield the chance to find out about businesses they might not otherwise have heard of.

Cara said: “The idea came to me when I started to find my email inbox was full of the usual promotions from big businesses about Black Friday and Christmas shopping.

“I wanted to give a similar opportunity for local businesses to reach a wider audience.”

She said she hopes it will allow smaller businesses to unlock a month of publicity at a time when they have to concentrate on attracting shoppers.

“My aim is to shine a light on the wealth of different businesses and have a virtual gift guide,” she added.

“The idea was well received with my business contacts and within a week I had 40 approach me to say they would be interested in appearing.”

Businesses are listed according to category in the Christmas Market section of the Queendom of Fife website and links are provided to their social media and websites.

“It would be great to see people getting behind it and showing their support for businesses on their doorstep,” Cara said.

The Christmas Market launches on Sunday at queendomoffife.com and runs until the end of the month.

“I wanted to give a similar opportunity for local businesses to reach a wider audience. CARA FORRESTER