Igniting a local business community in challenging times
Identity + Website Design & Build
Basingstoke has a long, proud history as a thriving market town. However, the prosperity and security of our community (and nation) are partly due to hard-working, local, smaller-scale enterprises that provide jobs and serve the community.
The Big Issue
The global pandemic presented enormous challenges for enterprises that relied solely on a physical space to sell their goods; lockdowns, restrictions on movement, and the subsequent knock to consumer confidence made them particularly vulnerable. As a result, our usually thriving small business community was left having to reconsider their regular routes to their market.
Project Scope
Exploring
Discovery Workshop
Design Strategy
Usability & UX Audits
Research
Thinking
Creative Direction
Brand Development
Visual Identity
Concept Ideation
Doing
UX & UI Design
Website Development
Asset Creation
Video Editing
Design for print
Campaign Execution
A project close to our hearts
This was an idea that we approached Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with during the initial lockdown. We wanted to do something that helped out the businesses in our community to break down the many barriers to building an online store and enable the business owners to help reduce the impact of their physical stores being shut down during this very testing period.
The Insight
The concept was borne out of a simple but innovative idea: we would create an eCommerce marketplace specifically tailored and designed to support small and independent businesses in the Basingstoke and Deane area, allowing them to sell their products and services online, and reach a wider audience.
With more consumers turning to online shopping, The Borough Basket provides local shoppers with an easy way to keep supporting the area's unique independent businesses during these challenging times.
The project quickly became a close partnership between Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and our studio which was supported by HM Government.
"When the Covid pandemic hit my wedding and events florist business was hit badly, The Borough Basket seemed fantastic to be part of to help me promote and build my business."
Borough Basket Vendor
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The challenge
One of the biggest challenges we encountered was bringing together a wide variety of vendors and guiding them through some of the tricky technical bits.
"It was really important that we took into account the different levels of users to make administration of the storefronts really straightforward. Ultimately it was the store owner that would drive the adoption of the Borough Basket."
Clare Davis, Co-Founder and Account Director
We have worked on several complex projects that require careful consideration and understanding of the vendors using the application behind the storefronts, and in all instances, we strive to not only tailor the experience for the vendors but also help and guide everyone through the store setup process.
Our team provided full user training, as well as ongoing support where needed.
Our approach
We developed a purpose-led, purpose-built site that could accommodate a wide range of product categories and services. It also needed to be user-friendly to allow non-technical vendors to use the platform to set up their inventory. Our team of developers, designers, and project managers were very committed to delivering the project to an aggressive timeline to ensure that the vendors would return to trade very quickly.
The Result
Borough Basket has provided vulnerable businesses in the area with an opportunity to recover in a still volatile market. The Borough Basket is currently still free for local companies to join, and adoption is growing day by day. The platform now has built a fanbase of regular users, and feedback from business users has been very positive. It also allowed participants to collaborate and share audiences with other local businesses.
The success of The Borough Basket project has since been extended and has adapted to the changing retail landscape; the brand has moved into experiential activation with a lively monthly market located in the Market Square in Basingstoke. This is an opportunity for vendors to showcase their wares at the heart of the community and close the circle of the customer journey either in person or online.
