Google green lights UK High St digital skills initiative

Google has announced a new digital skills training programme aimed at UK bricks and mortar retailers.

A Google Digital Garage tour will start in May and will visit at least 15 High Street destinations across the country. The search giant has partnered on this with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Ronan Harris, Managing Director, Google UK and Ireland, comments: “Our hope is that by providing dedicated, tailored training through the Digital Garage we can help bring new growth to High Streets. Despite the ongoing uncertainty posed by Brexit, we want to show businesses on High Streets how digital skills can help them to thrive, not just as a place for commerce , but also as a cultural centrepiece of the communities that they serve.”

The Chair of FSB’s Retail Policy Unit, Michael Weedon, says: “At a time when High Streets are under intense pressure from rising business rates, higher employment costs and digital competition, it is more important than ever to innovate for the future. Many small businesses are in need of support to improve their digital skills, including High Street firms. Through expanded digital skills, and adopting digital technologies, small businesses can find new ways of growing and adapting for the future.”