You can now do your Christmas shopping with independent Sheffield makers all in one place with a new online service – this is how it works

The marketplace – simply called The Shop – has been set up by This Is Sheffield, a venture that promotes independent firms and also maintains a ‘coronavirus directory’ of traders offering deliveries during lockdown.

Customers will be able to browse a range of products using the new online service, including handmade toys, crafted jewellery, soaps and ceramics, as well as Christmas cards and festive hampers.

Traders are being encouraged to use the marketplace to raise awareness of their brands – those who have registered include Colours of Sheffield, which makes prints of Pantone colours matched to notable city landmarks, and Reyt Good Illustration, an artist who creates vibrant Sheffield-inspired prints.

The Shop is collaborating with the Make Yourself At Home initiative created by Visit Sheffield, part of the city council’s Marketing Sheffield department.

There are no sign-up fees, listing charges or monthly bills for traders. The Shop takes a 10 per cent commission of each order to cover costs and the seller keeps the rest – if they don’t sell anything, they do not pay anything.

Amelia Selby, co-founder of This Is Sheffield, said: “We’re so lucky to have such a plethora of local independent businesses here in Sheffield and it was really sad to see most of them forced to close their doors right before Christmas. In light of this, we decided to launch an online marketplace to help showcase these much-loved independents and to make it easier for them to trade online.

“Not only will The Shop provide a boost to businesses in the run up to the festive season, but it will also give people a convenient and easy way to shop locally, ensuring their pounds stay in the city. We’ve already had a fantastic response and we’re looking forward to adding more of our favourite independents to the online marketplace over the coming weeks.”

Amelia launched This Is Sheffield with Matt Pinder and Daniel Evison at the end of February. It followed on from the success of This Is Kelham, an Instagram hobby which grew into a website and an app.

Visit https://www.thisissheffield.app/sell-with-us/ for details.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.