Falkirk Delivers sets up free shopping delivery service

The scheme, managed by Falkirk Delivers, is available to all firms trading within the Falkirk Bid town centre area.

It has been set up to allow retailers, excluding food at present, to offer flexible trading in unprecedented times, and is free to both the shopper and the business.

There’s already been an amazing demand for the service, with 70 parcels being delivered in one afternoon alone.

Sam Fleming, assistant BID manager explained: “We wanted to set up a delivery service to help all local businesses during the second lockdown, and to provide customers with a level of service they wouldn’t get anywhere else. It is currently free to the businesses and free for shoppers too – we’ve really tried to make it as simple as possible.”

How does it work?

Participating firms will be able to take orders by phone and online. Once orders have been placed, and paid for, businesses can get in touch with the Falkirk Delivers team on 01324 611293 to arrange collection of goods from their store, or drop off to the office at Old Burgh Buildings, Newmarket St. Team members will then deliver them straight to the customers’ door within the following postcodes: FK1, FK2, FK3, FK4, FK5, FK6, EH51.

The Falkirk Delivers office is staffed 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Orders must be received by the team before 1pm, on the day of delivery, and must be pre-packaged by the business. Each parcel must be clearly labelled with the customer name, postal address, contact number and any special delivery instructions i.e., if their address is difficult to find or there is a ‘safe place’ to leave their package.

From there, the team will aim to deliver orders between 2-6:30pm the same day. To ensure proof of delivery, all packages must be received by the occupant and a photo will be taken on the doorstep. If the customer is not at home, and wishes to nominate a safe place or neighbour, they can do so at the retailers’ discretion. Otherwise, the team will leave a calling card for them to reschedule their delivery.

The service is contactless to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Falkirk Delivers is in the process of developing packing labels for businesses to use to ensure the above information is included.

Is my business eligible?

If you operate within the Falkirk Bid area you can sign up to the scheme for free. Once your customers start shopping, all you have to do is call Falkirk Delivers on 01324 611293 when you want a parcel uplifted or drop it off at the town centre offices, for them to deliver straight out to your client’s home.

I’m a shopper, how do I know which firms are taking part?

Falkirk Delivers is doing its best to get people to shop local, for safety and to protect our town centres. Simply phone your local shop of choice in Falkirk Town Centre and ask them to register with the service if they haven’t already done so. As long as they are eligible, and you live within a specified postcode, your shopping will be delivered out to you, normally on the same working day.

Sam added: “It’s part of our commitment to Falkirk District and to the Scotland Loves Local Campaign, and we hope it will give our local businesses a much-needed trading boost.”

Find out more online at www.falkirkdelivers.com or call 01324 611293.