Marlow is one of the first towns to offer interactive virtual tour

 

Marlow has become one of the first 10 towns in the UK to offer visitors an interactive virtual tour via their computers.

 

Web users are not only able to see pictures of the town, but with a click of their mouse they will soon be able to enter public buildings and business premises and even pick items from shop shelves.

 

The interactive virtual tours for market towns are the brainchild of Duncan Curtis, director of Vue UK Limited.

 

Having spent five years in Canada, two spent working with the software, which was designed primarily for estate agents, Duncan returned to England to promote the idea of virtual tours to market towns.

 

The software allows shopkeepers to show their wares online, and business owners to tout their services.

 

Businesses that subscribe to be part of the tour are flagged, and the visitor can walk into business premises and even look at specific offers on shelves – for instance a wine of the week at an off licence.

 

Subscribing to the service costs businesses just £29 for photography, plus £20 per month hosting.

 

The initiative is supported by Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which is hosting the tour on its website, www.marlowchamber.com

 

Vice president Annie Mulady, of Mulady Solutions, said: “We now have a way of showing off our picturesque town to visitors, and to people looking to set up or relocate a business in Marlow.

 

“The virtual tour gives our 100-plus traders the opportunity to make their presence known, and this is especially attractive to off-High Street retailers.

 

“The interactive virtual tour is a great promotional tool for the town and its business community.”

 

The virtual tour was launched to businesses at the last Chamber of Commerce business meeting at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

 

Individual businesses wanting to advertise on the site should call Duncan Curtis on 0789 116 1176 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it