Two young tech entrepreneurs in Manchester have created a unique digital high street app to help diners find out which restaurants are participating in the Government’s up to 50 per cent off scheme, which launches in August.
Michael Lawes and Jordan Ryan Madeley from Sancus came up with the idea when they started getting bombarded with questions about the meal deal, announced earlier this month by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, through another digital high street platform they run.
“We could see that people were finding it hard to find out which businesses were signed up, so we decided to build something that made it easy to find all the information at your fingertips,” says Lawes.
“We think it’s a great scheme but the government seems to be relying on posters in participating restaurants – and we want to digitally empower it.”
Within a few hours of the app launching, over a thousand people had signed up to it.
“It’s clear there’s enormous interest in this scheme and we’re rapidly onboarding businesses because we all want to see our hospitality sector bounce back,” adds Lawes.
The two passionate foodies are encouraging businesses to engage with the app, put a digital footprint around their venue and share their profile with customers to let everyone know they’re participating in the scheme.
“The beauty of the app is that it’s a lot more than just a list of venues,” explains Lawes. “Each establishment can manage their own digital profile, upload all their information and menus, as well create posts such as other offers, events and news to drive new footfall. It can help showcase what makes them special, such as their local produce, a new ‘pop up’ outdoor terrace or live music, for example.
“This content can then be promoted to their own digital customer database across app, web, email and socials at the click of a button. With loyalty, automation and personalisation features built in, it’s an extensive digital offering that can boost the high street experience and better engage with today’s customers.”
More than 32,000 restaurants have so far signed up to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and it starts on 3 August.
The app is free and available for venues and diners to download at www.eatouttohelpout.app