In the wake of the recent demise of some big names in the retail world – such as BHS and Austin Reed – start-up investment platform Seed EIS Platform has announced that investee company, Pocket High Street, is part of a growing army of businesses joining forces to save our High Streets.

“A requirement for making it from start-up to success story is the ability to be innovative, nimble and forward thinking. This is one of many characteristics we look for in the EIS and SEIS qualifying companies on the Platform,” said Dan Rodwell, managing director of SeedEIS Platform, which provides access to EIS and SEIS investment opportunities for professional investors.

“Pocket High Street are going to the next level with their app connecting high street stores with consumers, which allows shoppers to search and buy millions of items on their doorstep including the option to Click & Collect within the hour. It promotes local shops and everything in stock today across London’s most popular online newspapers, city guides, business directories, blogs, mobile apps, social influencers, marketplaces and more.

“This innovative technology is brings shoppers together with the item they want, locally – and is a shot in the arm for the beleaguered High Street. This convergence of online and local shopping will empower the bricks and mortar high street to fight back at scale. Any local shop or digital publisher can register for free and join the movement at pockethighstreet.com.”

Alex Schlagman, chief executive officer at PocketHighStreet, added: “We’re in the middle of the most transformational period in the history of retail. For local shops to stay competitive in the connected digital age, we need to empower every local shopkeeper and put the digital high street at everyone’s fingertips. Shopping has changed forever. When I see something I want online it’s sourced via my local high streets and in my hands in minutes.”

Jack Rose, head of tax Products at LGBR Capital, concludes; “This initiative is a clear demonstration of how SEIS supports the growth of innovative and game-changing businesses and hopefully the strength of this collaboration will spell good news for the high street too.”