YouK launches home delivery feature

An Edinburgh-based online marketplace that specialises in UK produce has launched a home delivery search feature.

Picture: YouK

YouK is a free website that enables users to shop for everything that is made in the UK, from cheese to hand cream, jumpers to gin, beds to bikes.

The site was founded in Edinburgh by IT Specialist Derek Poots who wanted to create a marketplace which promotes every single UK business, and supports the environment, UK workers, and UK public services.

Janey Millar, customer services manager, said: “We launched a year ago last April with the simple idea to support all UK businesses and some 95% of all UK businesses are already on the site, including thousands of innovative brands that are little known. If your brand is not on – just let us know and we will add you, free, usually within 24 hours. We are particularly proud of the boost that small businesses can receive, and helping consumers discover them.”

YouK uses a 5-point scoring system that rates whether a brand or product is partially or substantially made in the UK to give shoppers an informed choice.

The firms says that there are huge environmental and economic benefits in shoppers choosing UK made, produced or designed products.

Janey adds “Each time we buy a national or local product we cut product miles, on average, by a factor of 10. And each local spending choice supports communities and local jobs, and in turn, all of our public services such as the NHS.”

The site has an interactive map, with search and filter capabilities that work at both national and local level. Users can, for example, see over 700 UK breweries on the map, zoom down to any local area, filter by types of beer such as IPA, or see those that are gluten free.

Searching on behalf of friends and family is an added boon – wherever they live there are local suppliers available.

To visit the site, go towww.youk.co