Coronavirus: Find out which local businesses are still delivering with My Virtual Neighbourhood

My Virtual Neighbourhoods comes from husband-and-wife team Jenna and Basil Fansa, who run Local Buyers Club and StokeyParents. Photograph: courtesy Jenna Fansa

Residents can find out which small businesses are still up and running during the coronavirus lockdown through a new website set up in Hackney.

My Virtual Neighbourhood provides a details of the local shops providing potentially vital supplies, and is rolling out across London.

The free service has been set up by the team behind discount card company Local Buyers Club, which has been championing independent businesses for the past two years.

The public is being urged to get behind the new website and send in details of businesses making self-isolation easier for people.

Founder Basil Fansa said: “Covid-19 has been heartbreaking for small businesses and, while many have been forced to close, others have found a way to adapt and offer new services that help people in their hour of need.

“My Virtual Neighbourhood is a celebration of that resilience and a call to the public to make the best of the amazing businesses on their doorsteps and to help them survive.  

“Lockdown is an awful thing to endure, but the army of independent shops and restaurants offering to deliver hot meals, wine, fresh fish, cheese, meat, veg and pastries to your door will certainly make it more bearable.

“We constantly see images in the news of people queuing for big supermarkets, which can only increase infection rates.

“Small businesses are well stocked and they’re moving heaven and earth to bring supplies to you so you can stay home!”

To find out which local businesses in your area are still trading, head to myvirtualneighbourhood.com