The site is a joint initiative between the local authority in Sandwell and partners including the Chamber of Commerce. It aims to provide the area's 10,000+ businesses with a forum to showcase what they do.

The Birmingham Post reports that the local authority believes the resource to be the first local business trading site of its kind in the UK.

The organisations behind the initiative hope it will complement Sandwell's ongoing regeneration projects and generate business opportunities that will benefit the local economy.

The website is currently being trialled and will be launched officially at the end of March.