More than 1,000 people have signed up to YourEly within a month of dynamic Ely business woman Caroline Bailey announcing plans to launch a unique initiative for businesses in the city to engage with their community.  It has also been ‘liked’ by more than 1,000 followers on Facebook. This is a fantastic achievement and endorsement of YourEly.

YourEly is a unique website and social media platform which will enable local businesses to join as members and actively engage with its community and customers, keeping them informed about what’s on offer and what’s going on within the city.  It will also welcome views from local people on important issues affecting Ely, such as the city’s new planned retail park.

Reading a report in PR Week entitled, Can PR save the high street?, made me realise how inspirational Caroline really is. The report mentions the demise of HMV and how the business should have “done more to move with the times”. One PR pundit states that “many retailers are living in the dark ages” and believes that PR and comms can help save the high street through education, amplification and integration; this is exactly what Caroline aims to achieve, this is her vision to ensure that Ely retains a vibrant city for generations to come.

Among the Ely community members to join is Louise Allcoat who says: “As a community member I am very excited by how YourEly will benefit the whole community by raising awareness through social media of the variety of high quality and specialist local businesses we have literally on our doorstep. Ely is a gem and has so much to offer.

“I feel that YourEly will help to make our community stronger by spreading the word about all that is best in our city. We have so much to celebrate here and it is fantastic to see YourEly flying the flag in such an exciting way!”

With only one month to go before the launch on 19 April with MP Sir James Paice, there is still time for businesses and local people to sign up and also join the growing communities on Facebook and Twitter @Your_Ely.