DELIVERY APP’S MORE THAN A BITE OF SUCCESS
GRIMSBY AND CLEE EATS HAS MORE THAN A BITE OF SUCCESS
THE owner of Grimsby and Cleethorpes’ own food delivery app has praised the fantastic reaction he has had from locals which has helped support businesses during the pandemic. Wayne Russell, 49, set up the Grimsby and Clee Eats app just over four months ago, and it has quickly developed into a favourite for both local residents and businesses.
Since its launch, the app has been downloaded thousands of times and boasts more than 60 independent businesses from Grimsby, Cleethorpes and the surrounding areas.
Wayne was inspired to give the app a go after he was made redundant from his job in the travel industry - and has seen his venture go from strength to strength over the past four months.
A lot of the success he has put down to the fantastic response from the local area - and has allowed him to provide an app which lets the people of North East Lincolnshire support the local businesses they love.
Wayne said: “The response has been fantastic, better than I would have ever expected it to go.
“Just over four months ago I started with nothing, and just took the plunge. I worked in the travel industry until my company made me redundant in September.
“When I first set up the app I had no businesses on board, and now I have more than 60.
“It’s not just fast food available on the app, with businesses offering a variety of things from coffee, to desserts, to convenience store food.
“It gives businesses a chance to reach their audience in a completely new way through us. A lot of businesses are doing takeaway and delivery for the first time ever, and had never planned to do so before the pandemic.
“It’s making business owners look at their plans for the future and I think delivery and takeaway will stick around after the pandemic is over. “There have even been businesses setting up in the past four months that now use the service - I think Covid has brought out an entrepreneurial spirit in a lot of people.”
Wayne also wants to expand the businesses available on the app, and now he is hoping to offer his own delivery drivers for businesses to use. He said: “I don’t spend most of the time pushing my app, I push the businesses that use the service instead - and I think they really appreciate that. “We’ve had so many success stories already, and we’re just pushing forward and wanting to do as much as we can. “At the moment, businesses are providing their own drivers, but hopefully that will be something I can offer in the near future. I’m always fair with businesses, too. The cost is a lot smaller than some of the bigger delivery apps. “Businesses see apps and websites as a necessary evil, but I try to offer all of the services that national apps do but at a much cheaper price. “Support from the businesses but
also the local residents has been vital - they both go together. It’s one thing to support your local business, but it’s also the input from the local area and those who order from the app and review it. “You need to hear everyone’s views and make sure it’s the best possible service for everyone. In return, it means I can offer a constantly improving app. It’s necessary that we need to be innovative and offer as much as we can to cater to people’s needs. “We’ve got a lot more stuff in development, and we are always looking to expand the businesses available on the app.”
With the coronavirus restrictions set to be lifted in the coming months, Wayne is also hoping for an influx of visitors in North East Lincolnshire - who will, in turn, support the local businesses in the area.
“Hopefully, we’ll see a lot of people coming to the area when lockdown restrictions are lifted, which will hopefully bring a lot of money to the area - supporting local businesses and appreciating everything that Grimsby and Cleethorpes have to offer.”
One satisfied user of the app said: “Ordered meals twice now from Ernie Becketts, all I can say is WOW, fantastic!
“The food was delivered both times piping hot.
“In times like the ones we are in at the moment, where we are having to shield, apps like this are fab, they are even better when the food is delivered to your door and very hot.”
I don’t spend most of the time pushing my app, I push the businesses that use the service instead - and I think they really appreciate that.
Wayne Russell