Sheffield business owner launches online local marketplace to help vulnerable people during lockdown

Business owner, Sophie Williamson who runs Sheffield Cheesemasters, has opened a virtual marketplace for independent vendors in the city to sell their local produce during lockdown.

The website called Sheffield Made is designed to help vulnerable people have essential items such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and milk delivered to their door.

Our Cow Molly and Moss Valley Meats are among the local producers who are now selling their goods collectively through the online platform, which went live on March 28.

The 51-year-old from Nether Green, who normally produces 700 different cheeses a week – came up with the idea for Sheffield Made when her sales started to decline after lockdown was announced.

"I was worried we were going to make too much cheese and people were going to stop buying or we wouldn't have any customers with the restaurants, pubs and hotels closing.

"It was very much sort of focused on people that were sort of having to completely self isolate, who were thinking, do I really want to go to the supermarket and put myself at risk for a carrot, potatoes and fruit, those basic sort of things.

"It was really trying to do something that would help the community but would keep our business ticking over really and keep us going.”

Sophie has now stopped making the city’s only local cheese until the foreseeable future but continues to sell her remaining stock through the website.

She hopes Sheffield Made – which has taken over 400 orders in their first month – can continue once coronavirus measures are lifted.

"Lots of people said it's been a real lifeline,” she said.

"I think there's a real movement to buy local and people are appreciating their local suppliers more.

"They're prepared to pay the price for it and it's not about that mass production and hopefully that will continue after the pandemic is finished is that they appreciate the fact that their local producers could react quickly and carry on feeding them.”