Become an Xplore Destination
When enough independents in your city, town or neighbourhood join and become Certified, we’ll activate you as a destination on Xplore — giving it visibility to locals and travellers looking for the real stuff.
.webp)
Getting Your Place Unlocked Matters
When your city, town, or neighbourhood becomes an official Xplore Destination, it joins a growing community of places across the UK that celebrate their independents.
Being unlocked puts your area on the UK’s Independent Map, giving locals and visitors a clear, authentic way to discover what makes your place special — its cafés, makers, pubs, shops, markets, and experiences.
It boosts visibility for every Certified Independent, strengthens local pride, and helps direct more spending into the businesses that give your community its character. When your place unlocks, it doesn’t just appear on the map — it becomes part of something bigger.
How Xplore Works for Your Community
Independents Join the Map
Local businesses become Certified Independent, putting themselves on the UK’s Independent Map and signalling they’re part of the Local Resistance — real, locally owned, and worth discovering.
Your Place Grows
As more independents in your city, town, or neighbourhood join, your area starts to take shape on the map — showing locals and visitors the authentic places that define your community.
Your Community Unlocks as a Destination
Once enough independents are certified, we activate your area as an official destination on Xplore — giving it its own presence, identity, and visibility to people who want to experience what’s real.
Here’s what you unlock when your community joins Xplore.
A Clear Identity on the Independent Map
Your city, town, or neighbourhood gains a dedicated presence that highlights its real, locally owned businesses.
Increased Visibility to Locals & Visitors
People actively looking for independent places can now discover your community instantly.
A Showcase of Your Best Independents
Your destination is represented by the cafés, shops, makers, pubs, and venues that define its character.
More Local Spending Driven to Independents
Unlocking helps direct footfall and revenue to the businesses that give your area its soul.
A Strong Sense of Local Pride & Belonging
Your community becomes part of a national movement celebrating authentic places — not chains
A Place That Stands Out Nationally
Unlocked destinations gain recognition across the UK, drawing attention, visitors, and momentum.
How Destinations Unlock
Destinations on Xplore aren’t chosen from the top down — they unlock naturally through the strength of their independents. There are two ways a place can become an official Xplore Destination:
1. When Enough Independents Join the Movement
As more Certified Independents appear on the map in your city, town or neighbourhood, momentum builds. Once we recognise that a place has reached critical mass, we unlock it as an official destination and give it its own presence on the Independent Map.
2. When a Town, City or Neighbourhood Requests to Join as a Group
If a group of independents — or a BID, council, or community organisation — wants their place recognised sooner, they can request destination status. We’ll prioritise unlocking the area and support them in rallying their independent businesses to join the map.
Do nothing, and nothing changes
Communities don’t reconnect by chance — they need action. As a Council, BID, or place-maker, you have the opportunity to lead that change today. By working with Xplore, you can unite independents, strengthen local pride, and give people a reason to choose local again.
