IT’S all about supporting local for businessman Stuart Shepherd as he embarks on his latest venture - North Ayrshire Eats.

The locally-based food ordering app aims to promote local food operators through its state-of-the-art ordering app, social media platforms and exciting giveaways for takeaway customers across the area.

The Herald told two weeks ago how app user Ashley Mauchlen won their first prize giveaway of a free Tartan Campervan holiday.

Entrepreneur Stuart also owns ‘The Tartan Campervan Company’ and mystery shopping company ‘insight6’ and believes that keeping money generated within the local economy here in Ayrshire is vitally important to having a prosperous community.

He said: “Our aim with North Ayrshire Eats is to encourage local people to order with local companies and by using our app we are able to support local businesses with fairer commission rates which in turn leads to customers being offered savings on takeaways especially when everyone is feeling a squeeze on budgets.”

READ MORE: Ardrossan mum is big winner in North Ayrshire Eats prize draw

Local operators are signing up in their numbers due to commission rates half that of Just Eat plus the local day to day support and free social media marketing on offer.

One of Stuart’s biggest supporters throughout start up has been Tommy Allison, owner of Allison’s Snack Van; he said Stuart’s local first approach excited him.

He said: “We have always supported local and source all of our produce locally from suppliers like Robertson’s, Lothian's and Beth Brownings, so naturally when the opportunity came to sign up to a business that is focused on keeping money here in the Three Towns, I was delighted to get involved.”

Businesses looking to sign up can contact Stuart through the North Ayrshire Eats Facebook page and locals can download the app from the Google Play or Apple App Store or visit northayrshireeats.co.uk.