A new scheme has been launched to help thousands of currently closed pubs to reopen as click & collect hubs for essential groceries.
Whilst the government has ordered all pubs to close amid the coronavirus outbreak, they are allowed to operate a takeaway service.
E-commerce specialist StarStock is now rolling out mypubshop.com, an initiative that will allow pubs to trade as food shops. The service has been launched in partnership with foodservice wholesaler Brakes, and brands such as Britvic, AB InBev, and Coca-Cola. It also has the support of pub operators including Admiral Taverns, Greene King, and St Austell.
Brakes, which already supplies more than 15,000 pubs across the country, said it would be able to deliver food to additional participants if they sign up. The company will be offering venues a shop ‘starter kit’ – consisting of basic food and drink products.
Using StarStock’s technology, pubs will have the ability to take and process online orders, giving them both a way to ease cashflow issues as well as support their neighbourhood in providing food.
Sam Ulph, founder and CEO of StarStock, said: “We are all aware of what is happening around us, and in these exceptional times this is a vital way for pubs to stay connected, offer an essential service and to secure an income stream during a period when they are unable to trade in their normal way. It will also help to alleviate the pressure on other grocery shops and the supermarkets.
“This initiative is much more than an online pub service. It’s entirely focused on helping communities and we hope that it will drive positivity for pubs and champion the people that run them as the local heroes they are.”
Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive at St Austell Brewery, commented: “We are delighted to support the mypubshop.com initiative. Not only does it provide our tenants with a great technology platform to drive sales during the period our pubs are closed – it also supports them in their ongoing mission to serve their local communities.”
