The UK government has set out dates for hospitality businesses to reopen. Now is the time to start preparing for customers to be coming back. With everything being far from normal, there are certain steps and ideas to keep in mind while successfully reopening a venue.
Staff training
With many hospitality businesses reopening, ensuring staff are happy and properly trained is the best way to get venues up and running again. Preparing for the rush that will ensue once hospitality reopens in the UK can be daunting, especially if your EPoS system is complicated or time-consuming. A simple but highly efficient EPoS system will stay up to date and only require a few minutes to learn. A simple but highly efficient EPoS system should be able to stay up to date and only require a few minutes for staff to relearn.
See how staff can learn how to use our product in minutes!
Keeping staff safe and happy is vital for when customers start returning to venues. One way to keep staff happy is to make sure their job is as unhindered as possible. Communication is one area businesses shouldn't be missing out on, both with each other and with customers. Having an integrated system within a hospitality venue allows for seamless interaction between waiting staff and the kitchen, increasing both safety and efficiency.
Atmosphere
We’ve all been stuck at home for too long. People are eager to go out and socialise; hospitality venues are getting ready to reopen their doors and customers will want to catch up with people they may not have seen in a long time. Many hospitality venues have been working behind the scenes improving aspects of their venue creating a comfortable, clean, and warm atmosphere for customers to socialise in.
Customer preferences.
Hospitality venues can become a place where customer service and satisfaction skills thrive. People like to be remembered when visiting venues and with a great CRM, this can be easily achieved. Having knowledge of customers before they arrive and knowing their preferences allows for unique and focused customer service to be provided. Creating loyalty increases profits too, loyal customers can spend up to 67% more on average in a venue.
Limited space
Before everything fully reopens, hospitality businesses that have beer garden facilities will be able to open said beer gardens on April 12th. To make the most out of the limited space it is important to keep track of both floor plans and reservations. Having an online automated reservation system that can keep track of which tables are free and how long customers have spent on them, with these tools a hospitality venue can maximise their turnover.
Deliveries
Deliveries and takeaways have been a lifeline for many hospitality businesses throughout the past year. It is important, moving forward, that we do not neglect these areas or dismiss them as soon as life begins to return to normality. The combined value of takeaway and delivery is up by 317% compared to the previous month last year.
Having a powerful, all-in-one EPoS solution within a hospitality business removes the reliance on third-party takeaway and delivery platforms, it allows businesses to take control of their own deliveries and orders with their own online platform. Providing an app that customers can use at home or at their tables, gives everyone that extra barrier that people may still want when entering uncertain times. Removing all unnecessary touch points within a venue will make customers feel safer when visiting.
Convenience/Contactless -
Customer spending habits have dramatically evolved during the lockdown period, with record numbers using contactless methods. When businesses start to officially reopen cash will be coming back into the picture. This doesn’t mean everything has to revert back to the way it was. If a venue is not offering contactless payments, they are set to miss out on a large number of customers. As well as being safer, there are an estimated 2.1 billion people using digital wallets for their shopping. In 2020 There were more transactions made via digital wallets than debit cards. (32% of all online purchases were made with an online wallet. )
SPARK reopening.
SPARK has its eyes set on reopening dates. We want to see hospitality thrive after the difficult times recently, and have the means to do so. Our integrated system is perfect for making sure hospitality businesses can reopen with a strong foundation. Created by hospitality professionals, we know exactly how to make all of our products work together for the benefit of the company.
See how SPARK can get you ready for the reopening!