localpeople reveals plans for 100 new hyperlocals

localpeople, which provides a platform for community websites, today announced its plans to extend its hyperlocal network with a further 100 sites over the next 12 months.
The websites, which were launched in July 2009 by Associated Northcliffe Digital, have been established in communities throughout the South West, London and the South East of England.
Since its initial beta launch of 25 websites, localpeople now has 100 websites and plans to bring them all out of beta and has updated their look.
Roland Bryan, managing director of localpeople, said: “The success we’ve experienced in the last year has exceeded our expectations in terms of local community engagement, usage and revenues generated from advertisers.
"When we launched in 2009 with backing and investment from the Daily Mail and General Trust, our aim was to promote a better way for communities and local businesses to connect in the digital age. The amazing reaction we are experiencing highlights a real appetite among local communities for our proposition.”
He added: “Our focus is providing small businesses a way of reaching a really local audience. The targeted nature of our sites means that our advertisers can achieve this at reasonable cost with low wastage.”

• localpeople aims to reach local communities small enough not to be well catered for by other media. It provides communities with a platform that local people can use to create profiles, network with other locals, create article content, discuss local issues, review local businesses and post events.
  
• Examples are www.dorchesterpeople.co.uk, www.marlboroughpeople.co.uk and www.stalbanspeople.co.uk.