A new business has opened in Beverley allowing shoppers to order on-line from the town’s independent grocery stores. The scheme is called MaruMarket and it features a convenient evening home delivery service from some of the town’s leading grocers.
Beverley resident, John Cant explains how he came up with the idea.
“I was waiting to cross New Walkergate one day in spring 2011 when I saw 3 supermarket delivery vans in a row and I wondered to myself just how much local businesses were missing out on this home delivery. Then it hit me.”
“What if the local shops worked together?
“They could co-ordinate deliveries to make it really convenient for customers.”
After months of planning he hopes he’s come-up with a practical solution.
The scheme aims to make it easier for people to use their local shops. Traditionally the town centre stores close around 5pm but MaruMarket.co.uk offers 24hour shopping with home delivery until 10pm.
Four shops have joined the scheme so far but more are planned. Ye Olde Porke Shoppe butcher and H. Peck & Son fishmonger in Wednesday Market, as well as the greengrocer & florist Fresh n Fruity in Dyer Lane and Beverley Market regular The Blending Room for coffee & tea are part of the scheme.
From a customer’s view the shopping experience is very simple. Each shop’s produce is listed on MaruMarket.co.uk where customers can order and pay with their debit or credit card. The home delivery arrives in one bundle, personally delivered by John in his delivery van. He describes it as “supermarket convenience but with personal customer service from the local shops“
The principle of the scheme is to provide high quality, local produce at affordable prices. There are no complex supply chains and because the suppliers are local, it means they offer goods at very competitive prices.
It should provide a boost for Beverley’s economy too, since locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy when compared with the big retailers.
They offer free delivery with your first order and from then on it costs £2.99 for Beverley residents.
The service opened on Monday 28th January and customers can choose delivery slots on Monday, Wednesday or Friday evenings. For more information visit www.marumarket.co.uk.