A PITSEA wedding photographer has created a new app to help small businesses who are on the verge of going bust due to the pandemic.
Coronavirus has resulted in countless weddings being cancelled across south Essex, meaning snapper Chris Woodman has been left with no form of income.
But Mr Woodman has put his time to good use and created a digital application which will allow firms and market stall holders without websites to sell their goods despite being unable to meet with customers during lockdown.
Mr Woodman, 42, hopes his new initiative will help some businesses who are struggling in these tough times to survive.
He said: “Setting up an app is totally new for me but I wanted to do something which helps others.
“A lot of businesses and market stall holders don’t have any way of selling their products online, meaning they have no way of making money during lockdown.
“Our app will go live next month and small businesses across south Essex will be able to sell their products on there.
“A lot of market stall holders are struggling. My app is called Dagenham Market 24/7 because I often went there and a lot of small businesses were involved there, but I may rename it before it gets up and running.
“Many former Dagenham Market stall holders moved to Pitsea Market after Dagenham Market closed for good last year and I want to help them.”
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A whopping 280 businesses have already signed up for the app – which allows traders to upload galleries, videos, chat with customers and sell their products – ahead of its official launch next month, but Mr Woodman is hoping even more independent firms will get involved.
He would be overjoyed if the app enabled businesses on the brink of extinction to stay alive.
Mr Woodman, who has been backed by investors Frank Nash and Kevin Kelly, added: “It would be an unbelievable feeling to know my creation has helped people to maintain their livelihoods.
“I have always been a person that likes to give to others and providing people with support means everything to me. Helping others gives me a buzz – that is my version of payment.”
Small businesses across south Essex can apply to be on the app for free.
For more information on Mr Woodman's wedding photography, visit chriswoodmanphotography.co.uk.
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