Newspage is a new, free PR platform that offers independent retail businesses (online and bricks and mortar) the chance to be featured in the local, national and trade media – free of charge.

The platform has evolved out of The Great British Bounce Back; an initiative launched by PR agency Rhizome Media Group during the first national lockdown, to help small businesses unable to afford a traditional PR agency have their voices and stories heard.

Newspage enables retail businesses to create their own publicly visible and fully branded media centre in a matter of minutes. They can add as many contactable ‘experts’ as they wish; create tags for their areas of expertise, and add any content that could be of use to the media. As well as adding their own news stories, retailers can receive ‘NewsAlerts’ to breaking stories they could contribute to.

Newspage will promote stories it believes will be of interest to the media for free.

To date, the platform has secured valuable media exposure for a wide number of small online retailers; from Teddö Play and T & Belle to Cornucopia Emporium and Planar Watches. Keisha Shah, founder of the Milton Keynes-based educational resources provider, Teddö Play, says; “Newspage is a godsend for small businesses and a great place for them to share their stories with the world.”

Maddy Alexander-Grout, founder of the Southampton-based small business national discount scheme, MyVIPCard, comments; “Like us, Newspage exists to promote small independent businesses. Since its launch, it has been invaluable in helping small independent retailers raise their profile and generally have their voices heard throughout the pandemic.

“It gives companies who would never use a regular PR agency the chance to be featured in the local and national media for free. This can both raise awareness and drive sales, which is more important than ever in the current climate.”

Also commenting is Dominic Hiatt, founder of Newspage.

“With Newspage, we want to give small and independent UK retailers, which have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, the chance to have potentially important exposure in the media for free.

“Since the pandemic began, we’ve had small independents on the BBC, in almost all national newspapers, and countless local newspapers and websites. It’s important that small retailers remain visible and we intend to ensure they do throughout 2021 and beyond.”

For further information, please click here.