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An offer has been made to the island’s craft community to help them see whether they are able to grow their existing businesses.
Spearheaded by Startup Guernsey, the organisation that provides business advice and resources to local entrepreneurs, the initiative seeks to identify all the hobby, handmade and cottage-type enterprises existing in the island and help them with any potential for expansion.
It follows the successful launch of the Guernsey Post and Guernsey Press partnership giving smaller organisations and retailers cost-effective access to internet ecommerce plus preferential postage rates and help with VAT clearance into the UK.
Startup Guernsey general manager Tony Brassell said the partnership was a ‘natural fit’ for the smaller craft-type operations in the island and he was keen to see whether the many hobbyists here could be encouraged to grow their businesses.
‘I know we have a wealth of talent locally and there are many creative people out there successfully selling handmade gifts and crafts.
"The problem is we don’t know all of them and I’d be keen to establish a Startup Guernsey register of these fledgling businesses and see if we can support them some more," he said.
A special Makers’ Market is to be held on 4 July at Les Cotils from noon until 4pm for the island’s crafting community to showcase their skills and organiser Tracy Smale is keen to hear from anyone else wanting to participate.
Supported by Guernseylovesshopping.com, the Post-Press partnership ecommerce website, the event is also a family affair with a barbecue and access to the centre’s 12 acres of grounds.
In a separate development, Deputy Kevin Stewart, the Commerce and Employment minister, welcomed the launch of the fully transactional website for small businesses.
"The internet is a great opportunity for Bailiwick retailers and the Guernsey Press and Guernsey Post initiative makes it easier for local shops to add another sales channel, as well as providing online profile.
"Guernseylovesshopping.com is consistent with the department's aims of assisting retailers to exploit the internet, so of course we're supportive of the venture," he said.
"It's great that the site will offer benefits to shoppers inside and outside Guernsey and will be of particular help to retailers who might have been uncertain about how best to enter the online world."
