Charity's fears over smartphone pub apps

Older drinkers are at risk of being discriminated against for not having smartphones to order food and drinks at pubs and restaurants, a charity has warned.

As lockdown restrictions eased in England, some pubs are asking customers to order beverages through an online app to minimise contact with staff.

Older people charity Age UK said the measure rules out half of those aged 65 to 74 and 70% of the over-75s because they do not use a smartphone.

Official Government guidance states venues should ensure there is a way for an individual to provide their contact details and if they do not own a smartphone, suggests paper records.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said the requirement for people to use apps in pubs and restaurants "risks widening the digital divide and reducing the opportunities for some older people to enjoy socialising once again".

She added: "We fully understand the need for venues to pay attention to infection control but it would be helpful to their bottom lines, as well as to older people, if they ensure that smartphone use is not a precondition for buying a drink or a meal."

Age UK found that while just under a quarter of over-75s in England have increased their internet usage since the pandemic hit, most older online users say their use has unchanged.

Government guidance to the industry says: "You must make sure that there is a method of checking in that does not rely on the customer using a smartphone or other technology."