Pubs are among the first businesses to sign up to Grapevine Local, a free online hub where communities can interact and make their neighbourhood the best place to work, live, and play.
Grapevine Local provides a free app and website to help business owners reach a much wider group of people, and enables everyone with common interests to stay better connected.
Devon and Cornwall are the first counties to receive dedicated promotional resource to launch the initiative, but businesses around the country will be able to claim their free listing as it is rolled out nationwide.
Founder, Alan Greaney, said: “Grapevine Local allows people to promote their business, share community news, buy and sell services and products, and offer support to those that need extra help. Businesses can connect with potential customers for free, and the platform is particularly relevant for hospitality outlets that are the heart and soul of their community.
“We’ve seen pubs, inns, restaurants and hotels step up time and again to support local residents in recent months, and it’s no surprise that they’re amongst the first to recognise the value by setting up their Grapevine Local profiles.
“With sites in England back in compulsory lockdown, we would encourage all community-minded hospitality operators to add Grapevine Local to their marketing plan and set up their free profile to communicate the latest information with existing and potential customers.”
He added: “For hospitality, in particular, Grapevine Local provides many points of interaction, rather than just being able to share messages, promoting special offers, giving customers online access to reservations, menus and ordering at table.
“We know that consumers are suffering from app-fatigue, and rather than downloading multiple branded platforms, they can now access the benefits of all local businesses, as well as their local groups and clubs, in one place.
“Another advantage for operators looking for safer, contactless solutions, is the option to subscribe to an online paper and magazine package for customers to access whilst on site.”
Phil Matthews, owner of the Full Moon, in Hawridge, Buckinghamshire, said: “We are a traditional local country pub, so not necessarily the best when it comes to new technology, but the Grapevine Local app has been great for our business.
“It’s free, it’s simple to use, and it removes so much of the hassle coming from all these new covid-19 restrictions. Table bookings, taking orders, and serving can now all be done via the app, which means our staff and our customers all feel safer and more relaxed.”
