UCL startup Local Spoon launches the Snapchat for last-minute dining opportunities in London

Set to release a gamified rewards scheme for their users and an analytics platforms for restaurants later this year, Local Spoon is a win-win for both customers and restaurants.

The Local Spoon app promotes offers at tables that would otherwise remain empty - thus representing an opportunity for businesses to reduce waste and reach a wider market. Consumers save money, the restaurant owners gain more capital to cover their costs and more opportunities to build brand loyalty.

The app currently signals last-minute deals in Fitzrovia, Piccadilly Circus and Soho, available for only a few hours a day. Empowered by PayPal, Local Spoon allows customers to quickly redeem any offer available in their proximity directly on the Local Spoon app.

Stefano Potorti, founder and managing director of The Localist, partner of Local Spoon and UCL business advisor, says: “As an experienced restaurant consultant, I’ve seen a plethora of restaurants in London struggling for years to draw diners in and fill in the empty seats. Local Spoon is a very smart application! They provide customers with last minute savings in restaurants by allowing real time dynamic pricing, based on supply and demand. For restaurants it’s a new way to drive more guests based on the demand to fill their empty tables and in the same time to have a full control.”

Diana Florescu, Co-Founder of Local Spoon, says: “During my Master's year at UCL I really got the opportunity to devote my time and UCL resources to explore this business idea. Without the UCL Bright Ideas Award I would probably have never met Stefano, who is a valuable assets to our team. When you’re just starting out, curiosity shouldn’t be a weakness. When we didn’t understand something or wanted to learn more, it was only natural to ask for help and UCL supported us along the way.”

The founders believe there is much more to do in the hospitality sector. They're on a mission to support small businesses stay abreast with changes in the digital world. Local Spoon aspires to help businesses join the Networked High Street and to use predictive analytics and dynamic pricing to pull customers in stores.

About Local Spoon

Local Spoon is a web application for last-minute dining opportunities with independent restaurants in London. The company provides businesses with an interactive dashboard to turn empty seats and excess food into value. Business owners generate instant promotions during quiet times or when they have food surpluses. Local customers can redeem any offer available in their proximity directly on the Local Spoon app.

The Local Spoon app is still at an early stage and has been released to the public to gather feedback and suggestions for future product improvements. Register your interest and feedback at localspoon.co.uk If you're a business owner you can also request a free demo at localspoon.co.uk

About UCL Innovation & Enterprise

UCL Innovation & Enterprise are a group of specialist teams working with students and staff to encourage a spirit of enterprise, create links with the outside world and accelerate UCL’s innovation and impact.

Entrepreneurship is a set of skills and an attitude to life. At UCL we believe it’s as valuable in the modern world as any qualification. It’s the spark to start a business, the ability to adapt, the capacity to identify potential and embrace opportunities. It’s the confidence to try new ideas, to take a risk, to explore the unexplored and make a mark.

At UCL Innovation & Enterprise, we design and create interactive and immersive experiences to stimulate entrepreneurial drive and kit you out for life beyond, whether that’s starting your own business or enhancing your future career prospects.

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