A new 'Virtual High Street' has been launched in Bury St Edmunds to help local businesses engage with new customers online. 

Dozens of businesses have signed up to the e-commerce platform which creates a virtual environment in which they can sell products 24/7 while promoting their own social channels.

Traders at the town's thriving twice-weekly market will also be able to participate in the Virtual High Street.

One of the first Bury St Edmunds businesses to sign up, owner of Midgar Coffee, Stuart Hansord said the new platform is a "fantastic opportunity" for Bury St Edmunds' independent businesses.

"I have been very impressed with the online presence the site gives us as well as linking to our own website and Facebook and Instagram pages," he said.

The Virtual High Street has already been established in a number of Suffolk towns and has generated over half a million pounds for participating businesses. 

The project was first set up in Sudbury and, with the support of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils, was extended to Stowmarket and Hadleigh.

Chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID) Mark Cordell said: "This is another free service we are offering our businesses to raise awareness about them and create opportunities for income generation in a challenging economic climate.

"We are delighted to be working with such innovative local businesses on what is a very exciting project for the town."

East Anglian Daily Times: Chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District Mark Cordell.Chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District Mark Cordell. (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

The technology was developed by award-winning firm Queue Technology, which is also based in Bury St Edmunds.

Founder Ellis Heighes commented: "We've established the Virtual High Street with councils so far and Our Bury St Edmunds is the first BID to sign up to the platform.

"It's easy for both businesses and customers to use and because it's a website rather than an app, there's no need to download anything.

"Businesses can build an e-commerce site within the website, allowing them to sell products 24/7 and can link into their own sites as well as their social channels."