MEMBER NEWS
UK Swap Shop reaches milestone
More than 300 swaps have now been made across a free service- swapping platform that launched in Derby a year ago. The UK Swap Shop, which
started life as Derby Swap Shop at the peak of the first lockdown in May last year before a national roll- out, is now being used by businesses, sole traders and charities in 33 counties. Based on the Multi-Coloured
Swap Shop 1970s TV show hosted by Noel Edmonds, organisations from different sectors have used the online platform to trade services for free during the pandemic rather than spending money.
Rachel Hayward, a Derby
entrepreneur who is one of the co- founders, said: “We knew when we launched nationally that there was further demand for our services. “This isn’t new – small businesses
have always helped each other by sharing expertise, free samples, or just their experiences – but the pandemic has made this even more valuable, indeed essential.” The original idea for the venture
was borrowed from the much-loved Multi-Coloured Swap Shop children’s TV programme, broadcast between 1976 and 1982, in which children would exchange toys and collectors’ items. Tracy Harrison, CEO of the
charity Safe and Sound, suggested the idea of creating a platform where businesses and organisations could “swap” goods and services.
‘We are determined that this is just the start for Swap Shop’
The idea was subsequently developed by Rachel’s business, bid-writing consultancy Ask the Chameleon, along with Dean Jackson from triathlon kit specialist HUUB and Lee Marples, a partner at creative design agency think3. The Swap Shop expanded first
into Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, before launching a national version that now has 730 members – 58% of which are female – stretching from Scotland to Devon, and Norfolk to Wales.
The Swap Shop team The trio has witnessed a 40%
boost in membership since launching a Saturday morning show on the drop-in audio app Clubhouse, which has bolstered exposure beyond the East Midlands. Lee added: “We are determined
that this is just the start for Swap Shop. The easing of restrictions is exciting for businesses, yet we know this is a marathon – getting back to business and building back better will be achieved together. It’s a new era of collaboration and Swap Shop is at the very heart, making this possible through a swap.”
Natalie Bamford, creative
director of Derby-based gift box service Colleague Box, was among the first to sign up with an initial swap of five free boxes in return for PR support. It landed the company local and national media exposure, and helped it to reach more than £1m in turnover in its first year. Natalie said: “Swap Shop has
been a huge catalyst in our success and started our wonderful partnership with Penguin PR, without which we wouldn’t be where we are today. “It really is a great service for
small businesses, and one which I’ll always be grateful for.”
business networkMay 2021
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