AN ONLINE marketplace called Buy Britain has been launched by a New Forest businessman, aiming to create jobs, keep British skills alive and make it easy for people to find and support local businesses selling quality UK-made goods.

As data suggests consumers are more likely to ‘buy British’ post Brexit, there is increased demand for both makers to sell and consumers to buy products made in the UK.

BuyBritain.com has been set up, built and is run by Lymington-based entrepreneur Michael Oszmann.

The selection of British-made products on the site is growing day with more than 300 quality products available.

Mr Oszmann said: “Our inspiration for launching Buy Britain was seeing the variety of amazing local skills and craftsmanship throughout the country.

“There has been increasing demand to buy British, with people finding it difficult to find British-made products.”We’re absolutely delighted to now be working with some of the UK’s best makers who have become our partners and growing community.

“Now British customers can have the best of British goods in one place they can trust and feel really good about supporting local businesses and jobs.

“Seeing the struggles that local businesses have faced with global competitors, Brexit and Covid 19, we are doing our best to help that situation. We’ve seen immediate success, with the site gaining strong Christmas sales.

“As the community of sellers grow, the Buy Britain platform will become even more valuable for everyone involved”.

The platform is an easy to use marketplace, where buyers can shop accessories, clothes, handbags, cookware, electricals, food, drink, furniture, garden products, gifts, homeware, health, beauty and jewellery directly from the sellers, giving the most flexible and low-cost option for local makers.

Bestsellers, include HM The Queen’s glovemaker’s new technology anti-viral gloves ‘The Liz’, Clive’s Rhubarb sparkling wine, famous Covent Garden jeweller F&M De Santis, The British Honey Company’s Keeper’s British Raspberry & Honey Gin, Hettie’s Throws and Webber’s British Furniture.

The site is free for sellers to join and set up. They pay a small commission fee when they make a sale. Sellers using Buy Britain also have the potential to sell globally.

Buy Britain seller Alan Webber of Webber Furniture in Lymington said: “We make great quality products but always struggle to find the time to learn how to do online marketing – we find Buy Britain so easy to use and see great potential for the site.

“We’re currently developing new products bespoke for the site and are looking forward to launching those in early 2021”.

The site champions ‘local hero’ products with a ‘100% British badge’, where all materials and components are UK sourced offering sustainability and carbon benefits through good manufacturing processes and reduced shipping distances.