Norwich pilot in development. Concept and evidence site — not a live consumer service.
For independent businesses

Only independent.
Would be verified by us.

Under the proposed model, a business would not self-certify. Project Independent would apply the published independence rules, record the basis for the decision and provide a correction and appeal route.

Register interestHow it would work
Participation

Four straightforward steps.

The proposed pilot would keep the burden on the business small. Project Independent would handle the verification work, confirm the stable facts with the owner and link outward for information that changes often.

1

Eligibility verification

Project Independent would apply the published independence test and record the evidence. The business would not award itself the mark.

2

Confirm the facts

Address, hours, category, contact details and live links would be checked with the owner.

3

Create the profile

The proposed profile would use two strong photos, a short factual story and links back to the business's own channels. Suitable photos could be supplied by the business, or Project Independent could offer a photography option where needed.

4

Display the mark

The round place mark would carry a unique QR to the verified profile and the wider independent discovery experience.

Proposed profile

A useful profile, not another admin job.

Independent eligibility would be verified by Project Independent.
Two strong photographs — supplied by the business or available through a Project Independent photography option where needed.
Stable business facts and opening hours.
Website, social and booking links.
Verification status, place mark and correction route.
Not proposed

What Project Independent would not maintain.

No menus or price lists copied into the platform.
No live stock or availability database.
No public star ratings or open review feed.
No paid position in discovery.
No buying a route into the independent mark.
Why the mark matters

It would have to mean something.

If any business could simply buy or print the mark, it would become an advert. The proposed model would separate eligibility from commercial spend so the consumer could trust what the mark was intended to say.

St Benedicts Street
Give smaller businesses a clearer voiceMake genuine independence visible in the street and in the proposed app.
Norwich Market
Different formatsCafés, market traders, shops, pubs and makers would need a common but fair test.
Royal Arcade
A city identityThe proposed mark would belong to the place, not to a ranking algorithm.
Questions

What business owners are likely to ask.

The exact eligibility boundary is still being tested. The intended principles around who would verify, payment, corrections and evidence are already clear.

Who would decide whether a business qualifies?

Project Independent would, using the published eligibility rules and recorded evidence. A business would be able to correct facts and use the appeal route, but it would not award itself the mark.

Would a business have to pay to appear?

No under the current proposed model. Basic eligibility, visibility and the place mark would not be sold to businesses.

What if suitable photographs are not available?

That should not be a barrier. Businesses could supply suitable images, and Project Independent could offer a photography option where a stronger profile needed new images.

Could a business edit its profile?

Owners would be able to correct factual fields quickly. The underlying independence record would remain controlled by the verification process.

What would the QR measure?

A scan would show physical-location engagement. It would not automatically establish a confirmed visit, purchase or conversion.