A start-up companyn has signed up restaurants and pubs in Bray to its innovative service.

VillagePod is a platform built to help local communities thrive which puts local businesses right at the centre. The platform was conceived and developed as a result of a recognition that local businesses need a champion that helps them complete with large multinationals in this smartphone dominated world. The platform aims to help people make spending local a habit.

The platform works by allowing consumers to pay with their smartphones and by retailers accepting payments with a small tablet or a staff phone.  Launching in early November, after a short pre-launch campaign the platform already has over 60 retailers on board in north Wicklow, including hairdressers, beauty salons, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, hardware stores and gyms.

 Commenting on the launch, VillagePod Partnership Manager Louise O’Neill commented “We are very excited about being able to bring this technology to local retailers and have been blown away by the goodwill that exists for this initiative. Retailers are particularly excited about opening up the digital gifting market which is a huge area that most of them just can’t tap into right now.  We’re going to change that!”