As operators are forced to adapt their trading model to react to the impact of Covid-19, Access Hospitality has pledged their support to set up a delivery or click and collect ordering service within 48 hours, which will be free for the first two months as Access cover the cost and all implementation fees.
The offer has been launched following the closure of pubs, bars, restaurants and other public spaces and the confirmation that the Government is relaxing planning permission restrictions to enable businesses to diversify as they aim to provide a community service and maintain a revenue stream.
Announcing the initiative Henry Seddon, Managing Director of Access Hospitality said, “Many operators are turning their sites into ‘dark kitchens’ enabling them to offer a takeaway, click and collect or delivery option. This is providing a vital community service as well as avoiding business failure following compulsory closures.
'While switching operations to focus on collection or delivery will require a concerted effort, Access Hospitality is taking one element off their minds, by working with its partners QikServe and Preoday to provide an online website with order and pay capability and getting operators set up within 48 hours to help them get their new revenue stream up and running.'
Seddon continued, “Within two days, pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels could be taking orders and payments online, with the option to promote through online advertising via an embedded link in social media.
“Access Hospitality is committed to supporting hospitality operators through this immensely challenging period and, by waiving the integration consultancy fee and with Access covering the cost of online order & pay software for two months, we are extending the valuable service we are known for.”
The software can be used as a standalone system or alongside Access EPoS to offer as much flexibility as possible and provide the tools for operators to diversify and continue trading, having been instructed to close their premises on Friday 20 March.
The free two-month period will form the first phase of a 12-month contractual commitment and is expected to offer a lifeline to operators when they’re most in need of practical support.
The offer of free software comes as Access Hospitality announced it is also focused on giving operators the ability to sell vouchers on their sister platform DesignMyNight. This enables operators to sell vouchers now to help with cashflow so that the local community can support the business to keep open when things return to normal.