Deliveroo sign-ups jump 86 per cent in just two weeks as Boris Johnson pushes restaurants online because of coronavirus outbreak
- As many as 3,000 restaurants have signed up to the platform in the past month
- All cafes, bars and restaurants were ordered closed on Friday by the government
- Many businesses have now gone online to continue offering food to customers
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Deliveroo has seen restaurant sign ups jump by 86 per cent in the past two weeks as the coronavirus shutdown forces businesses online.
As many as 3,000 businesses have joined the online food delivery service in the last month as they look for alternative ways to reach their customers.
Boris Johnson ordered all cafes, bars and restaurants to shut their doors by the end of Friday as the government ramped-up efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Confirmed cases in the UK surged by 1,000 yesterday to 5,018. There have been 233 deaths from the virus in the UK since the outbreak began.
Deliveroo said it had seen sign ups jump by 86 per cent in the past two weeks as businesses are forced online
A sign in the window of a Hare & Tortoise in Chiswick, London, urges customers to go online
The restaurants signing up to the platform include large chains, local family favourites and high-end Michelin starred-restaurants, the chain told MailOnline.
The food delivery giant has also slashed its joining fee to help struggling restaurants during this time of uncertainty.
‘We are here to deliver for restaurants who want to carry on offering their amazing food to families at home during this difficult time,’ CEO Will Shu said.
‘We are working with restaurants to optimise their operations for delivery, and we are doing everything we can to make sure people still have access to the food they want and need.’
A sign in the window of a Zizzi’s in Camberley also calls on customers to order through Deliveroo
Uber Eats has waived delivery and joining fees for restaurants during the crisis.
And Just Eat has said it will cut its commission fees by 33 per cent until April charged to restaurants on orders by 33 per cent to help those that are struggling.
Signs have popped up in restaurant windows across the UK urging customers to order a takeaway from them.
A sign in Hare & Tortoise on Chiswick high street, London, reads: ‘Dear customer, sorry we are only able to do takeaway online and Deliveroo orders for the time being. Pop in and make your order to go!’
A sign in an Honest Burgers restaurant also called on customers to order through Deliveroo or pick up inside.
Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero have said they will start offering takeaways.
Delivery services have also launched new contact-free services, aimed at reducing fears of the virus being transferred.