The black cloud of lockdown has been looming over hospitality, an industry clinging on creatively in the hope that one day soon, we'll all be guzzling pints and ploughing pasta at their tables. But how can you help it endeavour to recover from the safety of home during a second lockdown? We've come up with 6 easy ways; whether it's donating to non-profits that are on hand for crucial hospitality needs, to simple online love letters showing support for your faves. We're getting involved, and can't wait to see how you are too.
Snap Up Hospitality Merch
While some would suggest trawling through your wardrobe to up-cycle looks and loungewear left behind during lockdown, we're not. With options ranging from totes and coffee cups to tees and baby grows, the UK's restaurant scene looks just as good on your back as it does on your plate. We've listed some great merch options in London and Manchester, but don't be shy in looking further afield for your deliveries in support of your favourite local spots.
Pastel totes and beer to your door.
Donate To Hospitality Orgs And Share Training Opps
The UK has heard the call of hospitality venues and come up with a glut of funding options, training alternatives and downtime support while lockdown continues to interrupt business. From easy ways to donate to employee initiatives to bartender funds we're chuffed to hear about, here are some of the ways that hospitality is being lent a much needed helping hand, with options for you to get involved too.
- Hospitality Action are building a range of funds and services to support restaurant workers both during lockdown, also helping venues with their return to business set up and needs. Donate here: https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/
- Guinness have set up a £1,000,000 fund for bartenders, while Diageo have launched an online bar academy for free training. Get sharing: www.diageobaracademy.com
- TipJAR are raising money for emergency hospitality funds. Support workers and donate here: www.wearetipjar.com/emergency-fund/
- The Drinks Trust have been raising money for a covid-19 fund to support people in the industry who have been the hardest hit financially: https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/coronavirus
One of the UK's biggest support routes for hospitality is taking donations.
Vouchers
Little things go a long way during lockdown, and vouchers are just one of the easy ways that consumers can show their support for the bars, events restaurants that they're looking forward to experiencing once social distancing fades to a distant memory. Whether it's cut-price cocktails or year long discounts, venues remain creative in giving you a great experience and retaining custom, while making sure that they're there to feed and water you on the other side. Check out plenty of voucher options here.
Voucher options in London are endless, see what you can snap up.
DeliverMyNight
We've launched a platform to both boredom bust, and support the UK's beloved bars, restaurants, experiences and pubs. How does it work? We're glad you asked. An inspiration platform where we're not only featuring delivery cocktails, restaurant dishes direct to your door and immersive experiences that you can tap in to at home (use our handy search bar to discover more), DeliverMyNight aims to be crucial marketing support for venues and events during lockdown.
We're bringing the night out to you this time round.
Leave Online Reviews
This one? It seems simple right. But that's the beauty. This is about online love letters to the restaurants and bars that we can't wait to return to. Whether it's on DMN, TripAdvisor, Google or elsewhere, why not leave a message? With notifications set-up, they'll get to hear from you directly. And while it's not the morale-booster that the end of lockdown could bring, we've no doubt it could go a long way in putting a few smiles on people's faces.
5 stars, of course.
Support Crowdfunding Campaigns
An injection of cash is just what UK bars, restaurants and pubs need to continue to pay rent, support any staff they haven't (or hope not to have) furloughed, settle supplier debts and prepare for the set-up costs on the other side of lockdown to get business back on track. One of the great ways this is being initiated? Crowdfunding campaigns. From money off once restaurants have reopened, to general support, consider a donation to the crowdfunding campaigns set up to help the momentum of hospitality businesses the country over.
Here are just a few ideas for great venues to support right now:
Help to keep independent venues like Craving Coffee open for business post-lockdown.
