‘Nextdoor’ app to launch in the UK aimed at putting you in touch with your neighbours
Tech company boss says Brits 'yearn to reconnect with their local communities'
A new social network is hoping to get us chatting to our neighbours.
Nextdoor, which launched in the UK yesterday, creates community forums where neighbours can chat, plan events as well as share advice and recommendations.
The app, already a success in the US, has been trialled in 500 neighbourhoods across the UK.
Nirav Tolia, Nextdoor CEO said: "The strong response from hundreds of neighbourhoods across the UK during a successful beta period shows that Brits yearn to reconnect with their local communities - and Nextdoor is the product that will make it happen.
"Every neighbour, in every neighbourhood, would benefit from a platform that makes it easier to connect and communicate with the people who live right next door."
After joining the site and uploading an address users are connected with people living in their area.
Users can see updates and public posts from these people.
The makers of Nextdoor said the app has already been used to organise street parties, share recommendations for babysitters, find lost pets and start fitness clubs in the UK.
In the US 112,000 online communities have been created and 1,600 government agencies use the app to share information.
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Luke Pearce, founding member and lead of Nextdoor Oval in London said: “Our neighbourhood has been really excited to be one of the first areas to use Nextdoor.
"It’s just an easier way to create that sense of community. So far, we have used Nextdoor to find running partners, plan a neighbourhood social, and discuss safety concerns.
"We’re seeing new members signing up every day.”
A third of Brits do not know any of their neighbours and less than half believe their areas have community spirit, a study has revealed.
But, the makers of Nextdoor claim Brits want this to change.
Nick Lisher, Nextdoor’s UK manager said: “In a country that some worry has become more divided, the yearning to come together to create better neighbourhoods is stronger than ever.
“Nextdoor is already making it easier for neighbours to find lost pets, borrow power tools, share homegrown fruit and vegetables, and organise get-togethers.”
The app, which launched in America in 2011, has attracted some controversy.
It came under fire in the US after reports of users' racial profiling when reporting supposed criminal incidents.
Users complained that warnings were being posted about "suspicious" people seemingly based on the colour of their skin.
The site introduced "ethical questions", which users had to answer before posting, which reportedly saw a 75per cent drop in race-related posts.
The network has said it will look to expand further into western Europe following the UK launch.
Mr Tolia added: “Launching in the UK is a major step because it is the gateway to Europe for technology companies, and therefore one of the most strategic markets in the world. Brexit has changed nothing for us - the UK is a wonderful place to do business and remains the bedrock of our plans for international expansion.”
Sign up to nextdoor at or download the free app for iPhone or Android.
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