Residents, visitors and businesses across Stirling are set to benefit from an ambitious new digital town hub designed to become the city’s online home – bringing together events, attractions, offers and local information in one place.
Called ‘In Stirling,’ the platform aims to become the go-to resource for discovering everything happening across the city while giving every business and organisation its own digital presence and direct connection to customers.
Businesses across Stirling are now being invited to register ahead of the official launch later this summer.
The platform is being developed by Go Forth Stirling BID and is designed to become the city’s digital front door – giving residents and visitors a single trusted source for discovering everything Stirling has to offer, while giving businesses a powerful new way to promote themselves and engage with customers.
Every business will have the opportunity to manage its own profile and dashboard, allowing them to:
- Link directly to their website and social media channels
- Add events, promotions and special offers
- Upload photographs and key business information
- Appear on an interactive map with geo-location
- Share updates directly with app users
- Increase visibility to residents and visitors searching for products and services locally
The platform is open to all businesses and organisations across Stirling – not just city centre premises.
Shops, cafés, restaurants, tradespeople, attractions, charities, community groups, professional services and venues are all encouraged to register.
And residents and visitors will be able to:
- Discover upcoming events and festivals
- Browse local offers and promotions
- Explore visitor attractions and experiences
- Find shopping and dining recommendations
- Access travel and parking information
- Keep up to date with city news and updates
- Explore interactive maps and local recommendations
The idea for the platform emerged from Go Forth Stirling’s Business Hour networking sessions where businesses repeatedly highlighted the need for a single place where people could easily discover everything Stirling has to offer.
Danielle McRorie-Smith, Project Director at Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District), said: “Our ambition is for ‘In Stirling’ to become the first thing people open when they’re planning a visit, looking for something to do or searching for a local business.
“We want this to become the digital home of Stirling – a place where residents, visitors and businesses all connect.
“For businesses, it’s an incredible opportunity. Every business will have their own dashboard and digital presence within the platform, allowing them to share offers, events and updates, link directly to their own channels and showcase everything they have to offer.
“For residents and visitors, it means having everything Stirling has to offer in the palm of their hand.
“And the most exciting part is that this isn’t just for the city centre or a select group of businesses. We want every business, every venue and every organisation that contributes to Stirling to be part of it.
“Our vision is simple: One City. One Platform. Every Business.”
The platform is an evolution of Go Forth’s successful Independent Stirling campaign which focused on promoting independent businesses across the city.
However, ‘In Stirling’ expands that vision significantly by creating a city-wide digital ecosystem encompassing businesses of all sizes and sectors.
Go Forth Stirling is partnering with digital platform provider Loqiva to deliver the technology behind the platform.
Barry Conlon, co-founder of Loqiva, said: “Cities can no longer rely on fragmented websites, social media channels and third-party platforms to tell their story.
“Places need ownership of their own digital presence – a single trusted source that brings together businesses, events, culture and everyday life.
“‘In Stirling’ is about giving the city that digital home and ensuring businesses have the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Businesses can register their interest now by completing the online form on the Independent Stirling website – New IN Stirling App – Register Your Interest – Independent Stirling
Go Forth is encouraging businesses to provide their website address, social media links and Google Business profile to help create the most complete and engaging listings possible ahead of launch.
The ambition is for ‘In Stirling’ to become what every resident, visitor and business in Stirling has in their hands – a trusted guide to the city and a powerful platform for the people and organisations that make it special.
