Some businesses have finally managed to regain a foothold after being knocked for six by the pandemic. But for bars and restaurants, the challenge has only just begun.
Whilst the general public are awaiting July 4 (the day pubs could reopen) with bated breath, the venues themselves aren’t filled with the same giddy optimism.
Social distancing rules and regulations have rendered ‘normal’ customer serving methods impossible, and for the smaller, independent bars we all know and love, finding a solution is proving panic-inducingly difficult.
That’s why seatd are stepping in to help.
This innovative tech system allows customers to order food and drink to their seats without the need to fill in forms, download an app or pre-order beforehand. All they need to do is scan a code on the table – and choose their serving preferences (bring to the table, collect at the till, or a specified pickup point).
It’s easy for customers. It’s easy for venues. And everyone stays safe.
Through user-friendly design and technology, guests are invited to view digital menus on their phones – complete with food/drinks and dietary requirements.
The web-app also features a unique back-of-house system, so businesses can track live orders clearly and efficiently – with an admin panel sitting on a tablet or laptop next to existing POS systems.
Every customer will also be given the option to donate to a local charity, at no extra cost to the venue.
Despite the straitjacket being thrown onto the hospitality sector, seatd has found a way to create environments where people still have freedom in how they order and pay.
The brainchild of hospitality tech specialists Craig Davies, Matt Gibbs, Stephen Powell and Jack Woodward, the seatd software has been developed over the last three months and is being rolled out to venues ahead of the grand bar/pub/restaurant reopening next month.
Wikimedia Commons
Craig Davies, co-founder of seatd said: “seatd was born out of our love and understanding of the hospitality industry and what would be essential in supporting its recovery when doors reopen.
“With safety of paramount importance to us, we want to work closely with venues to help them get back on their feet, providing them with tech that helps them comply with social distancing measures.
“We’re so proud to have developed seatd. There’s absolutely no setup costs, and it’s really easy to use. Venues can literally be up in running in a matter of minutes.”
Fellow co-founder Steve Powell added: “While people are searching for a balance between peace of mind and returning to life, seatd hopes to reassure any apprehensions and help the public to enjoy the future of social hospitality and also ensure much-loved venues are able to stay trading safely and successfully.”
Alongside seatd, Craig Davies and Stephen Powell are co-founders of the award winning Viper app, which enables customers to pre-book tables and drinks at bars in Manchester including Manahatta, Dirty Martini, Impossible and BLVD.
For more information on seatd, visit their website. Venues can get in touch right now for support with any social distancing measures.
You can also follow them on social media: @beseatd.
News
The Spirit of Manchester confirms bar closure as Manc hospitality takes another hit
Danny Jones
Manchester has been hit by yet another gutting hospitality closure as The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, formerly known as Three Little Words, has confirmed they have shut down effective immediately.
The stunning spot set up as The Spirit of Manchester Distillery’s dedicated, customer-facing city centre venue and second home under the arches, opened back in 2019, offering a cocktail, gin-making and tasting experience, as well as a restaurant.
But fast forward six years, and now the once-beloved Three Little Words bar has sadly closed, largely citing the same economic pressures everyone has faced post-pandemic.
Writing an emotional farewell post on LinkedIn, Spirit of Manchester co-founder and master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This is a post I never thought I’d have to write. 9 years ago, we set out with a dream to build something that would represent the spirit of Manchester from the humble beginning in our dining room.
“We were fortunate enough that people embraced our vision, and 6 years ago we embarked on an over million pound project to bring 6 forgotten, abandoned arches beneath the iconic Manchester Central back to life to show the best the city has to offer.
“Unfortunately, COVID changed the playing field 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, running a city centre hospitality business, we have been hit with a perfect storm of rising costs, taxes and pressure on customer wallets that has ultimately led to an unsustainable business model.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to close our customer-facing operation on Watson Street today. It’s the amazing team that I feel most sorry for, as it’s their commitment over the last 6 years that has made this building feel like our forever home.”
Having also housed local culinary offerings like Etana, too, it’s sad to see such an eye-catching part of the city’s dining scene fall foul to the ongoing industry pressures and cost of living crisis.
Heeley goes on to add: “If anyone on my network is looking for new recruits, I couldn’t speak highly enough of our whole team. Please get in touch with me about any opening you may have.”
Even if you’ve never been, you’ll have passed a bottle of Manchester Gin countless times. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Heeley signs off by saying: “While this is the end for our experience centre site, Manchester Gin will continue to be made in the city and hopefully enjoyed for years to come.
“Obviously, this is a difficult time for all of us, so please bear with us while we go through this transition. Thank you.” Online orders have also been briefly paused as they look to lay out clearer plans for the future, and we can only hope they come through the other side more stable.
In what has been a heartbreaking start to the week, this marks the third high-profile food and drink casualty in central Manchester alone in the space of just the last two days, with the news of Salvi’s shutting their Deansgate Square location being followed up by another NQ closure barely hours later.
Safe to say it’s more apparent than ever that our hospitality sector needs better support and fast.
Manchester’s famous 24-hour charity run for the homeless expands into three new cities
Danny Jones
Manchester city centre’s famous 24-hour charity run, which raises money for Britain’s homeless community every year, is growing once again in 2025, with the heartwarming event expanding into a trio of new regions.
The annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness may have started out life here in Manchester, but last November saw it branch out for the first time ever, launching the maiden edition of The Birmingham 24 Hour Run – an instant success, with the return 12 months later confirmed soon after.
We here at The Manc have been supporting the cause for a while now, with multiple members of the team having joined both the local and Brummy editions of the run.
Now set to branch out even further in just a few months’ time, The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is set to make its Yorkshire debut across two separate fundraising events this autumn, not to mention another event in the West Midlands this winter.
The 2024 Birmingham run saw almost £1,700 for relative homeless causes in the area, with all contributions considered: nothing short of an incredible tally for the inaugural event attended by far fewer numbers than its now well-established founding counterpart.
It was the first time that the Manc-born and bred charity run had ever ventured out of the city, proving that the format and not just nationwide, but a global crisis is what that can be supported all over.
With that in mind, this year, The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness will be hoping to positively impact rough sleeping numbers in Leeds for the very first time, as well as Sheffield, Hereford and, of course, Birmingham once again.
And yes, you can expect support from our friends over at The Hoot and The Sheff.
Backed by numerous local businesses, fellow non-profit organisations, run clubs, university groups, and plenty more from in and around the community, the annual fundraising relay run attracts thousands – and that’s just in Manchester.
The 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness was started by a bunch of uni students as a charitable arm of their running society, Run Wild MCR, and has since gone on to raise more than £50,000 for the ‘A Bed Every Night Scheme’.
An amazing achievement for a crucial cause we can all get behind.
Overseen by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and the Labour MP himself, Andy Burnham (who is a regular attendee every year now), the event that starts at noon one day and finishes at the same time the next, has seen both regional and national news coverage.
Speaking on this year’s expansion, 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness co-founder Tom Lewis told us: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support over the years; the Manchester running community, local companies and so many other organisations have come together to make a real difference.”
“Everyone should get involved with the 2025 events as it brings communities together from across each city to help raise money to aid those in need.”
For anyone considering getting involved with this year’s charity run for the homeless around Manchester city centre, or indeed any of the other four cities hosting in 2025, you can find the dates for each and more information HERE.
You can also watch a helpful little explainer, featuring the voice of yours truly, down below:
The Manc -
17th June 2020 
