A COMPUTER expert is to launch a new software program for gift shop retailers after trialling it through the Basingstoke business he owns with his wife.

The husband-and-wife team of Claire and Neil Mackley have invested £350,000 to £450,000 in Country Crafts at the Top of the Town since buying it a couple of years ago.

And after developing Intelligent Retail Limited Giftware Connect to help grow the business, Mr Mackley is now set to debut it at a gift fair in Birmingham next February.

The one-click program has a website-building system for the retailer and then goes on to reduce overheads with its stock control and re-ordering facilities.

Mr Mackley said: "I've spent 18 months developing the site and it all stemmed from buying the shop and having to become competitive very quickly.

"There was no one solution so I wrote my own."

He describes the software as part of a "crusade to help the independent business person", and the shop's website at www.countrywidecrafts. co.uk has certainly been bringing in business - especially in the build-up to Christmas.

The Mackleys' current top internet seller is a bright red felt advent calendar, which comes from Germany.

The couple have already mailed out their second shipment and have also introduced an online service for browsers to choose a greetings card to which a hand-written personal message can be added, the envelope addressed and the card then popped in the post.

Earlier this year, the Mackleys conducted a survey in the retail areas of the town and found there was a demand for locally-produced crafts and wood-crafted goods.

Starting last weekend, the couple began piloting a scheme to showcase local crafts and, depending on the success, will then become regular stockists.

The first event showcased hand-made cards by Yvonne Lucas, tomorrow Jan Blight will be there with hand-made teddy bears, followed by Ann Cross with hand-painted glass products on December 11.

Mrs Mackley, a former business analyst at Harrods, said: "Following the success of Luisa Bundy, who is well-known for her Little Bundies, we are looking to showcase local craftspeople each week until the end of the year.

"Customers have particularly requested we stock locally-made products and products created from natural materials."

Mr Mackley said: "We are staking a lot on there being a future for the small retailer. The crafts initiative is about helping craftspeople to survive."

The couple, who are passionate about keeping the crafts cottage industry alive and well, live in Kempshott with their three-year-old daughter Charlotte.