Expert Insight
EPOS is the Key to the Return of Music Venues
By Oliver Rowbory,
co-Founder of Goodtill by SumUp
Of all the industries that have felt the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, music venues have suffered more than most. In fact, a recent report published by UK Music found that the industry will halve in size as a result of the pandemic. The report states the lack of concerts, gigs and festivals is expected to strip £3 billion from its contribution to the economy.
A significant number of these venues have not opened their doors since lockdown first came into effect in March 2020. While a combination of rapid testing and the COVID vaccination programme is expected to help venues reopen in England, there is still very little official guidance on how these businesses can do so safely.
FINDING A CONVENIENT SOLUTION
It’s clear that venues need to open as soon as they can, but ensuring attendees return to a safe environment is paramount. Assuming that rapid testing and vaccinations do allow venues to open sooner rather than later, operators will need to remain cautious once customers are inside.
For restaurants and shops, reopening meant perspex screens, one-way systems and monitored occupancy numbers - and each has proven manageable. Despite the obvious impracticalities when it comes to deploying these
10 March 2021
www.venue-insight.com
protective measures in music venues, it seems likely they will need to follow a similar same path.
Music venues are synonymous with busy bars and crowded drinking areas. While no one wants customers to go thirsty, venues must find a convenient way to safely manage these crowded areas without sacrificing the convenience — and revenue — of concession stands.
TECHNOLOGY IS KEY
One thing that has been clear over the course of the pandemic is that technology holds the key for organisations operating under severe restrictions. Music venues haven’t yet received that opportunity, but leveraging electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems will be a crucial first step when the time comes. EPOS systems can create seamless contactless transactions in three straightforward steps:
1. Mobile Ordering — customers simply open the website on their web browser, choose their order from the menu and pay online.
2. Order Processing — bar staff receive the order, assign an order number and begin preparing drinks.
3. Contactless Collection — once the order is ready, the customer is notified via the app and is given a designated collection point where they can find their concessions.
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