The last few weeks have been traumatic for all of us, but if you run a business of any size the worry caused by coronavirus has been magnified. From disappearing customers to self-isolating staff, the challenges are enormous. Even if your business has been spared the direct effects so far, few will be safe from the impact of a tanking economy.

We know that many of our readers have excellent small businesses that will continue to thrive once the crisis is over – but that getting through the crisis itself and the draconian containment measures that accompany it will be a monumental challenge.

We want to do everything we can to help our members weather the storm – and that means helping their businesses too. Various forms of digital working are already helping many, and we know that tough times bring out the creativity in all entrepreneurs.

One thing we can do in concrete terms today is to help our readers reach new customers. Here’s our offer:

1. We're turning The Local’s Noticeboard into a forum for readers’ business to advertise their services for free.
2. We do everything we can to drive readers to the Noticeboard so that everyone’s ads get seen.
3. We’ll advertise the Noticeboard using banners on the site and via our social media channels, so that they reach the widest possible audience. 

All we ask is that your ad respects social distancing and other disease control recommendations and regulations. So please – no encouraging people to gather outside their homes or break curfews. We realise that not everyone can be helped here, but hopefully some of you can be.

This is a worrying time, but here at The Local we firmly believe that by innovating and working together we can limit the damage caused by this virus. This initiative is only a start and we’re open for more suggestions as to how we can help. Let’s be there for each other. 

Check out what's on offer or add your notice here.