Into the Spotlight, sponsored by Huddersfield-based Scriba PR, is a weekly business feature which highlights new and existing businesses. Here we introduce Huddersfield Eats, a new takeaway food app with a social conscience.
A business duo with over 50 years’ experience in the catering industry have launched a food delivery app which aims to give back to the local community.
Huddersfield Eats will shake up the takeaway food delivery market, cutting costs for customers and food businesses alike.
Business partners Neil Dale and Dean Smith have bought the Huddersfield licence for the technology and hope to bring a fresh taste to the marketplace.
Ordering from Huddersfield Eats is just the same as ordering through the big three Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats – except the commission charged to takeaways is typically around half, which means customers can benefit from special offers and discounts.
Dad-of-three Neil, 42, who also runs a Subway franchise, said: “During the pandemic we have seen a boom in food delivery and the big three companies have something of a stranglehold.
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“The food industry has seen the cost of food rise and energy bills go up and for the last 18 months haven’t been able to use restaurant areas fully. All that has bitten into profits and what we are doing is putting a margin back into a food business.”
More than that Huddersfield Eats wants to support the Huddersfield community too.
“While we are a profit-making business and we have put our own money into this, we have an ethical edge,” added Neil.
“What everyone has learned over the last 18 months is that excessive profits and making yourself a millionaire isn’t the be all and end all of life.
“What we’ll be doing is giving back to local good causes such as charities, football clubs and the like.
“What people don’t know is just how much commission the big companies charge. It can be up to 30% plus VAT. We charge seven-and-a-half per cent plus VAT.
“That 30% commission goes straight out of the local economy and is lost. Whereas when people buy through Huddersfield Eats that money stays in the local economy.
“We want to take the best of what the big delivery companies are doing and improve on what they don’t do so well.
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“Dean and I are on the end of a phone and we can also help and support outlets in different ways. Between us we have 50 years plus of experience so we can offer advice, support and ideas.
“We’re a business with a social conscience and we just need people to download the app and use it.”
Customers can download the Huddersfield Eats app for free at the App Store or Google Play and there is currently a 10% discount on food, funded by Neil and Dean themselves.
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The app only launched in early August and there’s more than 50 food outlets on board. Neil is also talking to a greengrocer about joining the app and other shops such as butchers and florists could follow.
“Everything is being delivered now,” said Neil. “It used to be the ice cream van would go down your street. Now Scooplicious can deliver any dessert you like to your door.”
To find out more go to www.huddersfield-eats.co.uk
