Published at 15:48, Monday, 23 April 2012

THE UK’s first national trade association specifically for online businesses has been launched in Cumbria.

The British Online Retailing Association (BritORA) aims to look after the specific interests of small to medium-sized (SME) businesses who have an online presence.

BritORA’s co-founding director Adrian Quine said: “Online sales grew 14 per cent in 2011 against 3.65 per cent growth in the retail sector as a whole.

“Research shows that internet businesses are set to see double digit growth in 2012.

“BritORA is a national trade body with a UK-wide perspective but which is proud of its Cumbrian roots.

“We are delighted to have our headquarters in Eden and owe a special thank you to the councillor Debra Wicks, who’s been extremely supportive and pro-active, her knowledge and tireless enthusiasm is a real help.”

BritORA is supporting the campaign for better rural broadband and is launching its own national pledge.

Mr Quine said: “The internet plays an increasingly important part in all our lives and is now an essential business tool. This is why BritORA is calling upon political and civic leaders to publicly pledge their support for better broadband, not just here in Cumbria but across the whole of the UK.”

BritORA’s vision is to build the most influential and important community of successful online businesses in the UK. Its mission is to engage these businesses, help them to grow, develop best practices and to support each other.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border who attended last week’s launch, said: “The UK internet economy is alreadyworth over £100bn a year, is growing at 10 per cent a year and directly employs more than 250,000 people. BritORA will champion the growth of online businesses, especially in areas like Cumbria, which will be good for the local economy and great for Britain.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk