More than 10.5 million meals have been claimed as a part of the scheme. Will Broome, CEO of hospitality app uBARmarket, discusses how hospitality venues can sustain growth following Covid.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has found the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has provided the UK with a “much-needed boost towards normality”. The scheme which provides diners with a 50% discount on food and drinks – capped at £10, has caused 10.5 million meals to have been claimed, also triggering an increase in the number of people visiting shopping centres and high streets across the country.
It has been estimated that London shops, pubs and restaurants were unable to make £600 million worth of sales throughout the months of lockdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, this figure is expected to drop to £178 million this month, with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme being “partially responsible” for this economic improvement.
Restaurant booking app, Open Table has found that the number of people eating out on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout the month of August has seen a rise of 26.9% compared with the same days from the previous year. Furthermore, on the days in which the scheme is not available, the number of diners in the first week of August was only down only 7.1% year-on-year in comparison to a 28.2% decline in the week before the implementation of the scheme. These statistics do not only showcase signs of economic growth but also highlights the growth of consumer confidence.
One way hospitality venues can sustain this growth in consumer confidence is by turning to technology. Through the hospitality app uBARmarket, venues will be able to maintain safety and hygiene protocols as well as offer a range of features designed to improve and streamline the hospitality experience safely, including map search, remote ordering, in-app payments and automatic loyalty points.
Will Broome, Founder and CEO of hospitality app uBARmarket, comments on how venues can effectively navigate consumer fears by implementing technology to help to maintain safety and hygiene standards:
“As we embark on the third week of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, it has become clear that it has had a positive impact on the hospitality sector. The noticeably increased footfall and consumer confidence will undoubtedly give struggling hospitality venues a much-needed boost and bodes well for the future of the sector.
However, with increased footfall comes increased safety and hygiene concerns, especially with the scheme only applying to consumers eating in-store. As such, it is more important than ever that hospitality venues adapt and develop the customer experience by implementing new approaches and technologies to not only safeguard the safety and wellbeing of customers and staff, but also to allow venues to take advantage of the benefits of the scheme.
Ultimately, tech-based solutions such as uBARmarket will be key in combating the challenges posed by increased safety and hygiene measures, while also helping venues dramatically improve the safety and convenience of their customer experience, leading to increased popularity, success and growth beyond the Coronavirus crisis.”