UK cities like Wrexham are taking steps to launch their own virtual apps. VZTA Wrexham gives businesses the chance to promote themselves, with options to find local food and drink establishments on a virtual map. Local businesses have the option to sign up, with several interactive elements designed to bolster the town. With other cities following suit, is it time for towns like Brentwood to have an app showcasing local offerings?
Source: Pexels
Improved Communication
If Brentwood did launch their own app, this would allow local governments to communicate directly with citizens. Updates regarding local roadworks and weather conditions could be advertised through things like push notifications. This could be expanded to show particularly dangerous roads or pathways in icy conditions. Public services could also be streamlined, as options to pay for parking could be integrated into the app, and delayed bus times could be updated live, giving residents a one-stop-shop for just about everything they need.
Convenience like this would make it easier for Brentwood residents to access everything, without having dedicated apps for each. This could even lead to increased engagement, as local governments could use polls, surveys, and feedback features to find out how best to improve the town. Features like this would ensure that the right voices are heard too. Should Brentwood have an app like this, with the features mentioned above, it would quite possibly be the most advanced app of its kind in the UK. Although town apps are becoming more common, not all of them have these types of capabilities.
Local and Tourist Promotion
A town app could also be used for tourist promotions, integrating several unique features. For example on this bingo app page, there’s a QR code, which makes it easier to download. When you download the app, you will also get a £30 bonus and £10 to play bingo at any club. With the app also serving as a personal guide to all things bingo, it’s easy to see how the same features could be applied to a local app. People who don’t know Brentwood would be able to get discounts on food orders or find out what events local businesses are holding. This would lead to people being more informed about happenings in the town and it would also help promote the local economy. The local Brentwood council website could support the QR feature with it also being shared across several social media platforms. If discounts can be offered through the app for local businesses, for example, through QR codes then this would lead to even more convenience for people out of the area.
Although Essex does have its own app, Essex Live, it only really provides breaking news. Traffic and travel reports are included but it’s not as localised as it could be. If towns like Brentwood lead the charge and invest in something like this, it would stand to serve local businesses, locals, and those traveling to the area, which would benefit everyone. It would also help to bolster the local economy, which is great, to say the least.
