With time on their hands, Stuart and Amanda Buchanan decided to launch Havant and Waterlooville Eats after seeing a spike in the demand for food delivery services during the pandemic.
To differentiate themselves from national apps, the couple charge local businesses between 35 per cent to 50 per cent less. They also make sure that drivers only take one delivery at a time to avoid the food going cold.
Mr Buchanan, 51, said: ‘Our aim is to support local businesses, restaurants and takeaways in our local area. We go into restaurants and takeaways regularly and work closely with them. We will plan exclusive offers and promotions with them and because we charge lower fees to them than the national apps, we can pass the savings onto our customers.’
Pictured from left, Steve Waters, Luke Folkard, Stuart Buchanan, Amanda Buchanan and Jordan Folkard. Stuart Buchanan has set up Havant and Waterlooville Eats. Pictured at Nico's, Horndean Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 250821-03)
The couple, who also have two children, now have a range of different businesses, including Havant and Waterlooville Eats and Portsmouth Eats, which will open in September.
They already have 50 businesses signed up for when they launch Portsmouth Eats next month.
Despite only opening earlier this year, the couple have managed to secure deals to deliver for restaurants which are not signed up with any other app, including Nico’s Food Bar, The Emsworth Brewhouse and Cheeky Chippy.
Stuart Buchanan has set up Havant and Waterlooville Eats. Pictured at Nico's, Horndean Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 250821-01)
Mr and Mrs Buchanan pride themselves on their close relationship with the restaurants as they believe these relationships are key to their success.
Mr Buchanan said: ‘We spend a significant amount of money supporting and advertising each local business. Being local means we are keeping local money in the local area.’
The business also holds competitions where customers can win a free takeaway from one of the restaurants.
Mr Buchanan, who has worked in the food industry since he was 18, has also begun to look into expanding the business. As well as having more restaurants and takeaways joining, the couple are also looking to expand into new markets.
He said: ‘We are also in discussions with other local businesses (non-food) to look at the potential to run joint promotions with them, again supporting the wider local business network.’
Havant and Waterlooville Eats currently has six permanent employees and around 15 drivers who deliver around the area including to areas such as Hayling Island, Southwick and Hambledon.
We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.
The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.
As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.
Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.
- How much does it cost?
75 per cent off normal rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract
- What do you get?
A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk
- How does it work?
Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.
Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.
Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.
Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.
Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.
- What could happen after appearing in The News?
Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.
It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.
Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.
If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.
As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.
The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.
Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.
- What else do I get?
As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.
You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.
You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.
Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.
- How do I sign up?
Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on liz.wiffin@jp imedia.co.uk to get signed up
For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489
