CuparNow has won the ‘Digital Impact Award‘ at this year’s Good Retail Awards.

The recognition comes less than two months after businesses and organisations in the town voted to back the unique Digital Improvement District model.

Simon Baldwin of Destination Digital, the company delivering CuparNow says: ‘The work behind this project has taken a number of years to reach this stage. We researched and created the idea for a Digital Improvement District to create a model that is sustainable and supports multiple audiences at a local level. We are absolutely delighted that our work – delivering demonstrable benefits through integrated digital communication – has been recognised in this way.”

Simon adds: “The support we are providing to businesses across all sectors is making a real and positive impact ?Ķ not only on those who are engaging with us but also beyond the town’s business community to support those in culture & tourism, education, environmental projects as well as in local health and social care partnership work. This award is recognition not only for our work but also for the significant community support that has been received throughout the demonstration phase ?Ķ support that has given CuparNow a five year term to ensure the impact of digital continues to benefit all those audiences it is intended to help.’

The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Spring Fair at Birmingham’s NEC (below).

The Good Retail Awards 2020 celebrate those making a positive impact in the UK’s retail industry – across a number of categories. The awards ceremony took place on the Spring Fair’s Inspiring Retail Stage, following on from Mary Portas. The awards focus on those who are leading the way in the industry with positive innovations that benefit both retailers and their customers.

Digital Impact Award arrives back in Cupar: pictured > Simon Baldwin (Destination Digital [holding the award]) with members of the CuparNow steering Group – Cllr Margaret Kennedy (bottom right), Andrew Thomson of Southbridge Garage (mid left): top (L-R) Grant Hughes of The Press Bistro, Suzie Harley of Rollos and the group’s chair, Alison Strachan of Maisie & Mac.

 

The awards’ organisers say: “The quality of entries was high, with many showcasing original and pioneering ideas which aren’t necessarily reliant on significant financial investment, yet make a significant difference to the retail experience.” They add: “With a vast number of impressive entries, the judging panel had their work cut out for them.” Made up of industry experts and representatives from both Modern Retail and Spring Fair, the judges were Catherine Erdly of Future Retail Consulting, Naeem Arif of the Midlands Retail Forum and NA Consulting Ltd, Julie Driscoll, UK Regional Director of Hyve Group PLC, Spring Fair’s parent company, and Rob Gamage, Managing Editor of Modern Retail.

Digital Impact Award Winner: CuparNow

From the award organisers …

CuparNow is the UK’s first Digital Improvement District, creating new strategic collaborations, improving digital participation and skills and helping to demonstrate scalable best practice for digital deployment in towns.

Establishing key digital platforms such as a blog, social media, and installing free public realm Wi-Fi, CuparNow are working to create an inclusive service for those using the town centre. Through service management and content creation, as well as capturing data and sharing key analytics with partners, CuparNow have created an engaged audience of more than 10,000, in a town with a population of only 9,000. CuparNow is engaging with multiple audiences, helping community groups to better engage on digital channels, meaning everybody from teenagers to retirees can benefit. CuparNow has made a real difference, helping many retailers run pop-up shops, progress from temporary to full-time lets, and helping existing companies to expand.

Naeem Arif says: ‘CuparNow has shown consistent level of results and in terms of digital impact, consistency over time is important.’

 

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