According to the company, the ‘Safe 2 Serve’ app was created in a single day, using the Twilio platform. It is currently being used at The Fontmell pub in Devon, which was also involved in its development.
App functionality is initiated through customers texting ‘I want a drink’ to a dedicated mobile number, thereby registering their attendance and their name. They subsequently receive a ‘Safe 2 Serve’ badge, which they can then show to staff. Identity information is stored on the app and deleted after 21 days.
Speaking of the need for the application, Julian Hucker, CEO of Zing Dev Ltd, said: “One of the benefits of the rapid development we specialise in is being able to respond to changing events and build prototypes or solve problems, almost as they happen.
“So, when we were discussing the upcoming pubs and restaurants reopening, we had a thought - how would they capture customer information in a safe way? We quickly established what was needed was a lightweight solution requiring no complicated setup for the venue, as well as no installation for customers.
“Twilio’s Conversations API enabled us to easily implement the same workflow across both SMS and web chat, to provide a consistent experience to both customer and owner.”
UK pubs and restaurants began the process of reopening on July 4, following an extended period of lockdown due to COVID-19. Under government regulations, business owners in the sector are obliged to keep a temporary record of customers for 21 days to assist in the ‘track and trace’ effort.
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