Lockdown 2.0 inspires implementation of free marketing activity
Pubs, inns, restaurants and hotels are amongst the first businesses to sign up to Grapevine Local, a free online hub designed for local communities to 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 explained, “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.”
“For hospitality, in particular, Grapevine Local provides many points of interaction rather than just being able to share messages” added Alan Greaney “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.”
One of the first pubs to sign up to Grapevine Local was The Full Moon in Hawridge, Buckinghamshire, with owner Phil Matthews commenting “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.”
The wide-ranging benefits of Grapevine Local for businesses include:
- Publicising events, posts, opening hours, booking process and menus
- Connecting and communicating with everyone in their area
- Enabling free, quick and easy pay at table option
- Bolstering community spirit, building networks and solving problems
- Improving interaction and engagement when you actively update your activity
- Making a real difference to their business and their local community
- Advertising local job vacancies
- Listing promotions and last minute availability
- Providing a point of coordination for community support activity
- Giving access to a range of digital news and information sources* creating a contact-free library and cost saving on printed materials
- Making a real difference to their business and their local community
“Community has never been more important, more relevant and more life-affirming than right now” continued Alan Greaney. “It is into this environment that we’re so excited about the launch of Grapevine Local, a project that has been two years in the making. We want to help hospitality businesses celebrate all they are doing to make a difference and use their role in the community, that has become magnified during the pandemic, to improve the lives of those around them whilst also strengthening their business.”
ENDS
For Immediate Release: Thursday 12thNovember 2020
Notes to editors
Grapevine Local has been invented by founders Alan Greaney and Mike Douglas to use the latest technology to recreate the way communications of 50 years ago integrated around the church and the pub.
The founders want the website and app to help connect and support people, now and in the future, and it is free to use.
Press release from Kate Hempsall on behalf of Gravepine Local
For further press information please contact: Kate Hempsall
+44 (0)7534 190241