BOSSES from an delivery app firm which is helping to keep the high street in Urmston alive during the coronavirus crisis have branched out into a new market in Sale.

Last week, the Messenger reported how people have been on lockdown and struggling to get food deliveries from supermarket chains for days have been using local firm Shocal to get orders on the same day.

The app started as an idea shared between Urmston neighbours, NHS developer Max Thorley and Ashley Washington.

They soon became a trio when Lance Knight joined forces and they were worried about the effect of big brands on local businesses.

Whilst the app was purely based on Urmston business and customers, bosses announced last week they were moving into the market in other areas including Sale.

Lance Knight said: "It has been absolutely crazy past few months.

"We are three local lads with a link to Urmston as we live here and we see there is a real need to help the high street and independent retailers.

"We thought about delivering an app for independent retailers in Urmston where you can order on a multi-point delivery from different firms.

"It means they can rival the big boys and keep having money coming in when they may have had to close and we are providing services to the community who may be self-isolating.

"But we have just extended into Sale.

"We want to have an app in each town in the UK to provide the same concept as Urmston.

"We are looking to have it in Sale and Altrincham areas and then we have started discussions about the Midlands about developing structures there."

The trio are also looking to give something back to the community in Urmston.

Lance added: "We are giving to donate some of the profits back to the area.

"We will be asking people what they want the money to be spent on. It could be on repairing a swing or a slide in a park or alternatively replace a bench which has been damaged."

More than 4,000 are now signed up and to find out more go to Shocal.org