What Is Local Now? The Free Community App for Preston Neighbours

8 November 2026 · 3 min read

A red post box on a street of red brick terraced houses with neighbours chatting

Local Now is a free community app for UK neighbours. It helps people in Preston, Leyland, Chorley, Fulwood and Penwortham borrow and lend, swap skills, give things away and find trusted local businesses, all in one place and with no ads.

It started with a simple idea. Most of us live within a few minutes of dozens of people who could help us, and who we could help in return, yet we rarely get the chance to meet them. Local Now gives every street a friendly place to start that conversation.

Why strong local communities matter

When neighbours know each other, everyday life gets a little easier. Loneliness is one of the biggest problems facing the UK, and a friendly face down the road can make a real difference, especially for older people who live alone or anyone who has just moved to the area.

A close community also helps with the cost of living. Borrowing a ladder instead of buying one, or swapping an hour of gardening for an hour of help with a CV, saves money for everyone involved. Streets where people know each other tend to feel safer too, because neighbours look out for one another's homes and notice when someone hasn't been seen for a while. And when you choose local shops and tradespeople, your money stays in your own area and helps keep the high street alive.

Join now, it's free

What people ask on Local Now

The best way to understand Local Now is to look at what neighbours actually ask each other. One person wanted to borrow a slow cooker for the week. Another asked if someone could show them how to bleed a radiator, because they would rather learn than pay. A family needed someone to collect Mum's prescription on Thursday, and a group planning a bank holiday street party asked who could lend tables, bunting or a gazebo.

None of these are big requests, but that is exactly the point. Small favours like these are how neighbours become friends, and each one is a chance to meet someone new on your street.

What you can do on Local Now

On Local Now you can give away things you no longer need, sell items or share spare food so it doesn't go to waste. You can swap skills and time with neighbours, where hours are counted rather than money, so helping out always comes back to you. Spaces bring people together around shared interests, from running groups and crafts to parents' meetups, with chat built in.

There is also a local directory of businesses in Preston and the surrounding towns, with honest reviews from neighbours, and a jobs board showing work at businesses near you.

Your questions answered

What is a local community app?

It is an app that connects people who live near each other, so they can share, help out and stay in touch. Local Now is built for UK neighbourhoods.

Is Local Now free?

Yes. Joining is free and there are no adverts.

How can I meet my neighbours in Preston?

Join Local Now, add your area and say hello. Ask for a hand, offer something you no longer need or join a Space for a hobby you enjoy.

How is it different from a Facebook group?

Local Now is only for your area, has no ads and keeps your full postcode private. Businesses are clearly labelled, so you always know who you are talking to.