#BounceBackStories
Throughout the last six months, we've been continually amazed by the resilience and inventiveness of our customers, who have each weathered a storm nobody could have predicted.
Now these businesses are reemerging, and finding new and innovative ways to operate, we want to share some of their incredible #BounceBackStories!
Bounce Back Stories
Bakeaholics
Bakeaholics is a small modern bakery, based in the east of England in Norfolk. It's been in business for almost two years, and sells a range of home-baked fresh cakes and bakes, specialising in drippy cakes which are fully booked almost 10 weeks in advance.
Despite starting as a hobby, the Bakeaholics proved to be a huge hit during the lockdown, and by April of last year, it was a full-time job. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a game-changer for the business. Bakeaholics quickly adapted to the challenges presented by the lockdown and pivoted to delivery before opening covid-secure popup stalls to meet the growing demand.
Before long, Bakeaholics had developed a strong customer base and social media following. From there, the next step was to open a shop. Bakeaholics is taking advantage of the Epos Now system to shape its menu, plan ahead, and make efficiencies.
Bakeaholics has big plans for the future, including a bake house, postal delivery, and even a second shop. Watch this space!
Incognito Cocktail Bar
Chadwick Smithfield is the owner of Incognito Cocktail Bar, a venue located in Winchester, England, which reopened its doors on July 4th.
For Chadwick, the reopening taught him a valuable lesson about the importance of the customer experience: "I think my best advice for businesses returning from a #COVID lockdown is to remember that every customer that walks through the door is doing so as a sign of support for your business, and that they should be greeted with a smile and a thank you".
Safety, too, has been a major focus for Incognito. Reducing capacity and using handheld ordering devices has been key. "The Epos Pockets* have helped us to operate under social distancing measures".
"They help us minimise floor traffic and crowding around the tills, helping us look after the safety of our customers and staff".
Royal Quarter Group
The Aviator Gin Bar
The Aviator Gin Bar was set to open just as the COVID-19 lockdown took effect in the UK. Despite the enormous setback, owner, Wayne Richardson and his business partner used the hiatus as an opportunity to refine their business model, ultimately taking it to where it is today.
Wayne explains: "In between building The Aviator Gin Bar we used our distillery which was commissioned on the 17th of march 6 days before lockdown, as we could not open our bar we made best use of the time to perfect our Gin range and sold it via our website and more importantly our social media channels, with local delivery."
A truly one-of-a-kind venue, the serving bar is made from a Boeing 737-300, and the back bar area - which acts as a focal point - was formerly a rear galley section from an Airbus A320.
When asked about the lockdown experience, Wayne emphasises how they used the disruption to consult their customers. "During the lockdown period we listened to our customers and took on board their suggestions in terms of flavours and bottle sizes, we also took our time to perfected our range of cocktails using our own Gins as a base".
"As people had followed our progress on both the distillery and The Aviator Gin Bar build on social media during lockdown we have gained a loyal following both locally and nationally which has helped our business get started after the lockdown restrictions were lifted".
Lovat Parks
Lovat Parks operates a number of tranquil parks in some of the most scenic parts of the UK. The idea behind Lovat parks is simple: to create a real sense of community within and beyond its parks, and to provide people with the freedom to quickly escape to the great outdoors, relax, recharge and explore.
Lovat Parks is unique in that it's BCorp certified. As the first campsite operator in the world to receive the accreditation, it hopes to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy that works for all.
As each of its parks reopened following the lockdown on July 4th. The group was part of the ‘Good to Go’ initiative from Visit England, and followed the recommendations from its trade body, the British Holiday & Home Park Association.
Safety was a key priority. Lovat commissioned an external health and safety expert to conduct a full Covid-19 risk assessment before any of the holiday-maker parks were opened.
Lovat also used the latest technology to reopen safely and effectively, choosing to purchase a handheld device for their Green Hill Farm site. Lovat campers "benefited from the speed and precision of the Epos Now system, which meant less waiting time in the busy cafe-bars".
Northern Edge Coffee
Having been roasting speciality coffee since 2015, Northern Edge Coffee was in the process of opening its Coffee House when the lockdown was announced. Plans for the grand opening ground to a halt, although their postal delivery service remained open, with orders being taken through the website.
Things quickly gathered pace, however, and by mid-may, they were able to launch a small takeaway service before officially opening their doors on August 1st.
Upon opening for delivery, Northern Edge took a number of steps to ensure the safety of staff and customer alike. Collection points with 3 metre spacing were set up to ensure social distancing, and transactions were kept clean, safe, and secure with contactless payment.
“There have been many unforeseen challenges but we’ve enjoyed adapting and getting creative in these strange times. The local support has been phenomenal and has proved good coffee really is a luxury. Our best advice to others in business is to do something you’re passionate about and don’t be afraid to work hard to make it happen.”
Caudwell’s Mill
Caudwell's Mill in Derbyshire tells a "bounce back story" with a difference. In fact, it's not really a bounce back story at all...
Caudwell’s Mill is a unique, Grade II* listed, historic, water turbine-powered, roller flour mill. Powered by water from the River Wye, one or more mills have stood on this site for at least 400 years.
The COVID-19 lockdown actually saw the historic mill experience its busiest ever period. With demand soaring, the mill's staff worked harder than ever, producing around 12,000kg of flour at their peak, up from 350kg prior to the lockdown.
Such was the demand that Caudwell's Mill hired more staff and implemented longer days. To satisfy customers further afield, they established an online ordering and delivery service, available through their website.
They also sold items for five other local businesses (at no extra profit to Caudwell's) who would otherwise have been forced to scrap their stock.
To do this, their Epos Now system proved to be instrumental. "We set other businesses up as distinct categories on the till so we could record their sales easily, and they could invoice for their sales at value...the system worked really well".
Caudwell's Mill is proud to be among the many independent businesses that adapted faster, and worked harder and kept communities stocked throughout the lockdown. At Epos Now, we're delighted that our system played a small part in helping them to do this, and we're equally proud to support businesses like Caudwell's Mill.
Vintage Ambiance
The Cheshire Wine & Cheese Co.
"COVID-19 meant the world changed for everyone!
There were two main factors that influenced our life-changing decision of "going it alone" during a pandemic. The first was the birth of our beautiful baby boy in April, which was followed by a redundancy in September (Not so great!).
We decided we needed to think and act quickly, and made the decision to take the plunge and follow the lifelong dream of starting our own business, selling exquisite wine and delectable cheese, along with an array of artisan spirits, craft ales and lots of other goodies!
Due to us having no experience in this field previously, and the speed in which we needed to move, we required the assistance of a company that could both support and guide us through some of the fundamental elements of a new business - in this case choosing, setting up, and learning how to use not just a money taking till, but a full end to end sales and stock management system.
Epos Now had the same sense and appreciation of urgency as we did, at the same time as pushing boundaries to get the set-up over the line in a fraction of the time it would normally take. The professional, pro-active and intelligent support that Epos now gave us from day one has been exceptional. They have ensured this important element of our new business was set up in time, and with us fully trained, and able to lean on support should we need it.
Bravo Epos Now and thank you for giving us the service and support when we needed it the most!
Thanks to the support, The Cheshire Wine and Cheese Co will be up and running both online and in our boutique store in the heart of the hustle and bustling village of Tarporley, Cheshire in time for the New Year!
Keep updated via our website and social media on our grand opening as we'll have some lovely festive hampers available ideal for gifts, and an exclusive discount for other Epos Now customers if they reference the code XMAS5.
*The Epos Pocket has been discontinued. Please view our Pro Range page to view our range of portable EPOS and payments devices.
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