Press Release: Immediate

Date: Tuesday 4th

May 2010

Social Traders puts social firms on the Google map

The launch of the ‘Just Buy’ campaign last month by Social Firms UK invited consumers to buy on a

regular basis from their local social firms. The campaign so inspired social enterprise advisor Bob

Northey, Director of Social Traders, that he offered his services in order to create a new Google map

using the latest mapping tools provided by the popular internet search giant. The map is being

launched today by Social Traders in partnership with Social Firms UK and can be found on the

internet at www.tinyurl.com/justbuymap hosted by Google. Social Traders provide marketing

solutions for social enterprises, including social firms, and specialize in internet promotions using

social media.

The on-line map provides details of more than 140

social firms participating in the ‘Just Buy’ campaign and

registered with Social Firms UK. Social firms are

businesses that trade for social or environmental

purposes, reinvesting their profits back into the

company, but most importantly they also create

valuable employment opportunities for many hundreds

of people with disabilities. Social firms run coffee

shops, laundrettes, mail and packing services,

horticultural services and a host of other trading

activities across the UK from Cornwall to the Orkneys.

The ‘Just Buy’ campaign is encouraging everyone to support their local social firms by becoming

regular customers. The new interactive map not only locates each social firm, but offers internet

users the chance to zoom in, using either the map or satellite view, and where available access the

amazing 360° street view. Bob Northey said ‘Now that most people have access to the internet at

home, at their local library or even on their smart phones, access to Google maps is literally at our

fingertips. I want to encourage internet users to use the Social Firms map to find their nearest social

firms and become regular customers and so help these social enterprises to become truly

sustainable. The map that also has links to each social firm’s website will be a valuable resource for

schools and colleges enabling students learning about social enterprise to identify social firms in

their local communities and regions.’

Social Firms UK CEO Sally Reynolds said ‘We are very excited about the ‘Just Buy’ campaign and very

much welcome the new map created by Bob Northey of Social Traders. I hope that all our

customers who use the new Google map will let sales staff know when visiting their local social firm.

The launch of the map today compliments the information about every social firm and more details

of the ‘Just Buy’ campaign found on our main website at www.socialfirmsuk.co.uk .’

End.

Social Firm: Netherne Printing Services, Dorking using Street View in Social Firms UK Google map

Contacts for more information:

Bob Northey, Director, Social Traders

Mobile: 07803 193388 Email: bob.northey@socialtraders.org

Web: www.socialtraders.org

Sally Reynolds, Chief Executive, Social Firms UK

Tel: 01737 231360 Email: sreynolds@socialfirmsuk.co.uk

Web: www.socialfirmsuk.co.uk