High Street Heroes
Helping South Yorkshire’s high streets thrive: practical support for real shop owners.
Running a shop on the high street is hard work. Most owners are juggling customer service, stock, staff, bills, social media, websites, and somehow still trying to grow the business on top of all that.
High Street Heroes is here to make that part easier.
We’re offering free workshops, 1-to-1 support, and signposting, all designed specifically for independent retailers across South Yorkshire. Everything we do is practical, hands-on, and explained in plain English. No jargon. No pressure. Just simple, practical help that you can put into action straight away.
What this programme offers
Fully funded by SYMCA and delivered by Novus Marketing Solutions, this programme is designed to help real businesses build confidence, attract customers, and feel more in control of their online presence.
Over the next few months, we’ll be supporting shop owners across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield through:
- Practical workshops (full-day and half-day)
- 1-to-1 consultations with specialists in marketing, design, and websites
- Events that help shop owners connect, share ideas, and support each other
- Easy-to-use resources to help you keep the momentum going after the sessions
Who it’s for
Independent high street businesses across South Yorkshire:
- Retailers and shop owners
- Cafés, restaurants, and hospitality venues
- Service providers with physical premises
- Market traders expanding online
- Businesses at any stage of their digital journey
You don’t need any technical background; we walk you through everything step by step. All sessions are free and built around the realities of running a busy shop.
Workshops & 1-to-1 consultations
Full-Day Workshop — Getting Online Ready
Location: Novus HQ, Doncaster
A full day of hands-on learning, including photography, video creation, AI tools, content writing, and online strategy.
You’ll leave with real content you can use straight away and a simple 3-month marketing plan.
Curating & Creating Content Using Your Mobile Phone (Half-Day)
Location: TBC
Learn how to take better photos, create short videos, and plan a week of content using just your phone.
Building a Sticky Brand That Helps to Retain Customers (Half-Day)
Location: TBC
Build a brand that people remember and connect with. Learn simple design principles and how to create visuals in Canva.
Boost Your Online Presence (Half-Day)
Location: TBC
Make your website work harder, connect it to the right platforms, and use simple SEO and online advertising to get found by customers near you.
1-to-1 Consultations
After attending a workshop, every shop owner can access personalised follow-up support:
- Brett: Strategy, marketing direction, and business planning
- Stephen: Branding, design, photography, video, Canva
- Paul: Websites, e-commerce, platform connections, analytics
These sessions help turn ideas into action, giving you practical steps you can get started with immediately.
What participants will gain
- A practical action plan tailored to their business
- New photos, videos, and Canva templates ready to use
- A simple website improvement checklist
- Confidence with digital tools and online marketing;
- Tips for running low-cost campaigns that increase footfall
- Access to follow-up support and ongoing resources
Accessibility & inclusion
We welcome shop owners of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels. All sessions are delivered in plain language and in small groups to make sure you get the support you need. Where possible, all venues will be step-free and accessible.
Monitoring & reporting
To help SYMCA understand the impact of the programme, we’ll collect:
- Attendance data
- Pre- and post-session confidence scores
- Short follow-ups (e.g., new posts created, website improvements made)
Data will be used responsibly to improve the programme and demonstrate value for money.
How to take part
2. Choose Your Session
Pick the workshop or session that suits you best. Your data will be used responsibly to improve the programme and demonstrate value for money.
3. Attend & Take Action
Enjoy friendly, hands-on support and follow-up guidance designed around you and your business.
About the delivery partner
Novus Marketing Solutions is a South Yorkshire-based marketing agency that has supported more than 1,000 organisations with their marketing, customer engagement, and online growth. We specialise in warm, friendly, practical training that helps real businesses take real action.
Contact us
Email: brett@onthehighstreets.com
Phone: 07859988622
Location: will vary across South Yorkshire