Wakefield startup Not Usual Ltd are preparing to launch a raft of new features and products as part of their new hospitality support scheme ‘Eat Out Round About’. The Wakefield based app recently held a successful trial involving 17 venues, over 1000 customers and 33 businesses, generating over £15,000 in revenue for hospitality around the Wakefield district. Now armed with more funding, invaluable real-world experience and a host of new partners, the Innovate UK backed venture is ready to take the exciting next steps in its journey.
Created by entrepreneur Ali Gordon as a sustainable way to support hospitality recovery, ‘Eat Out Round About’ works with businesses and organisations to provide teams and customers with vouchers for meal discounts as well as providing a platform for organisations to work together to support cohesion and collaboration within local businesses as we all navigate the post-covid landscape together.
'Eat Out Round About' is a simple idea:
- Local businesses purchase Eat Out Round About vouchers for their employees and customers.
- Employees and customers discover local places to eat out on the app.
- Revenue is paid to the venue from the sale of vouchers.
Once given a code, customers can download the free app and redeem their voucher for up to £10 off at a participating restaurant.
Rolled out across three periods, each launched as hospitality was gradually re-opened, the trial took place with the backing of Wakefield Council and key local organisations including Theatre Royal Wakefield and the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. During the initial trial, Eat Out Round About have engaged companies including Haribo and Chadwick Lawrence to distribute vouchers to their employees
With its eyes now firmly fixed on the run up to Christmas, Not Usual are taking the next steps with Eat Out Round About to help support Wakefield businesses in this crucial time. New products and initiatives include teaming up with Theatre Royal Wakefield to offer pre and post-theatre dining programmes, Christmas and Birthday card campaigns and a series of dining packages aimed at businesses. Kickstarting the new features with a joint event at The Quarry in Horbury on 11th November as a collaboration with local business communities including The Federation of Small Businesses, The Northern Affinity, Theatre Royal Wakefield, and The Mid Yorkshire Chamber.
‘Eat Out Round About’ has received further funding from Leeds City Region’s Digital Enterprise programme which will be used to support local social connectivity through dining including, social networking features, team building and event features that stimulate more eat out round about vouchers into the local community.
With ‘Eat Out Round About’ Not Usual have built a platform with a proven ability to draw people into hospitality via digital engagement and a way for companies and organisations to support their customers and staff while ensuring that support stays in their local community.
