Website aims to boost Spencer Road

Developed and launched by Spencer Road based company, Exitoso, who specialise in the financial and administrative aspects of running a business, the website has meticulously listed all the businesses and services available on one of Londonderry's most historic streets.

Launched at the end of last year, www.spencerroad.com, has taken an innovative approach to the promotion of the street in an attempt to boost the already existing and established businesses on the road.

The site has included a highly user friendly interactive map, clearly laying out each business on the road and also provides directions to those businesses as well as highlighting car parking facilities for shoppers visiting the area. Another feature of the site is a Sat Nav feature which breakdown each type of business in the district into section and provides links to their contact details and their websites.

The website states: "This is a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting Spencer Road, the commercial core of the Derry-Londonderry Waterside area. The site provides a platform for local businesses to promote their services and for potential customers to the street a practical overview of what this hidden gem has to offer - from banks to cafes, insurance brokers to travel agents, Spencer Road has every modern service you need in one of Ireland's most historic cities."

Deborah Bevan of Exitoso, who developed the website told the Sentinel: "We can see the potential that Spencer Road has and as such want to promote it in such a way as to bring attention to Spencer Road and help people to realise what appears to be forgotten, that Spencer Road has had a long history of being part of a major thorough fare within the City and has played an important role in providing shops, services and employment to City for many years.

"We feel its best days are still to come and that said - are not that far away! Even in these difficult times when businesses are struggling, more successful businesses are created from need and opportunity. The need for new business is here in Spencer Road as is the potential . We have seen Spencer Road steadily progressing over the last few years with new business being created alongside already established firms.

"This has enhanced the road which still has a real community heart to it, which is unique in itself. Geographically, Spencer Road is literally a stones throw away from the river Foyle which runs through the centre of the City. Also the city centre is perceived to be within the walls - when the fact is that the city and its perimeters are expanding and will continue to do so over the next few years. Our city is second to Belfast in size and importance; the major roads leading from the City to the rest of Northern Ireland pass by the bottom of Spencer Road. This is an area that will continue to grow and that will with the help of individual shop and business owners create its own unique atmosphere which will become a major asset to the CIty."