THE new virtual high street service that aims to support independent shops has more than 200 stores signed up in Essex and almost 7,000 products available - including a growing number in Maldon district.

Allison Gray, Chair of Maldon Business Board and owner of boutique Willow & Fox in the High Street, told Nub News: "We'd love even more Maldon businesses to sign up to the scheme. We've seen such great success in other towns and it would be amazing to see Maldon sharing in this success."

Lucie Walker-Hutt of Silo, Maldon High Street's refill store, added: "It's a great idea and I would encourage as as many businesses to join as possible."

Recent sign-ups include Ansell & Co butchers in the High Street, showing that the aim is to provide all types of products to customers, with fast delivery to the doorstep.

Residents anywhere in the county can use Click It Local in Essex enabling them to buy from any local shop and have it delivered on the same day. From weekly food essentials, gifts and treats to last-minute basics, customers can buy everything they need from as many shops as they like, with one payment and one delivery.

Steve Koch, founder of Click It Local, said "We are delighted that so many stores have signed up to the service in Essex. Our mission is to help save high streets and independent stores across the UK by making shopping local easier and faster. We hope to further expand our services to independents throughout Essex and encourage local shops to sign up to Click It Local and for the community to support their local shops."

Councillor Wendy Stamp, leader of Maldon District Council and Chairman of the North Essex Economic Board – which has backed Click It Local – added: "Retailers on the platform can reach customers across the county and likewise shoppers find excellent Essex firms with just a few clicks of the mouse.

"North Essex has so much to offer and we want people to keep their spending local, building and sharing prosperity from Colchester to Chelmsford, Maldon to Manuden Witham to Wix, and everywhere in-between."

Essex customers can order from any local or independent shop signed up to the service and have their goods delivered to them the same or next day if the order is placed before 1pm, with one payment and one delivery fee.

Click it Local started in Cambridge last year and its success saw it grow to Brighton, Essex, Surrey, Hertfordshire and London.

Steve is encouraging customers to support their local high street by continuing to shop local and for independent businesses in Essex to sign-up for the service.

Independent businesses interested in finding out more about signing up with Click It Local can email: [email protected] or sign up at here.

The Keep it Local campaign is being launched through Maldon District Council's Sense of Place initiative, with funding from the Magnox Decommissioning Fund.