Tag: Just Eat

City cycle hire scheme: council to set up team to look at options

Work towards reintroducing a cycle hire scheme in Edinburgh has begun, along with plans for shorter term measures to support cycling initiatives in the Capital.

A report to Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday (11 November) proposes establishing a project team to explore options for replacing the popular Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme (ECHS), which provided almost half a million trips in its three-year term.

As well as learning lessons from the first contract with Serco, a series of objectives for any new initiative have been recommended. These include the need for bikes to be adaptive and accessible, for communities to be involved in proposals and to seek to increase use by low participation groups, particularly those who are economically or socially disadvantaged.

Several short-term actions are proposed to mitigate the impact of the previous cycle hire scheme ending. Amongst these are the expansion of the Cargo Bike Movement, letting members of the public, local businesses and organisations loan cargo bikes, and investment in Brake the Cycle, which supports offenders to repair and restore donated bikes for reuse.

Medium-term it is also recommended that officers explore a city bike club in partnership with retailers and other relevant organisations.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme was an extremely welcome addition in Edinburgh, judging by the many people who made use of it, and opened up cycling as a convenient, accessible mode of transport to a whole new audience.

“It was really disappointing that we weren’t able to find a way forward with the previous contract, despite our best efforts, but as we look to a future scheme, I’m confident we can deliver an even better replacement suited to the needs of the city.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “I know many people will be delighted that we’re making moves toward an inclusive, community-led replacement for the cycle hire scheme.

“As we work to develop this our short-term measures will help those who need support to access a bike.”

Edinburgh’s first cycle hire scheme, operated by Serco, ran from 2018 to 2021 at no cost to the Council. Despite negotiations considering various options, an extension to the contract could not be agreed and, unfortunately, the scheme closed at midnight on 17 September.

During 2020, ECHS was the fastest growing scheme in Britain, with 234,500 trips made, expanding across the city and attracting users from different backgrounds. It is recognised that its availability helped to normalise and promote cycling amongst the public, aligning with the need to shift towards more sustainable modes of transport and supporting net zero carbon goals.

Based on the first contract it is suggested that a financial subsidy from the Council will be required for a future scheme. Analysis by Transport for Edinburgh highlights other matters for consideration, including clearly defined aims and objectives, the need to minimise opportunities for vandalism of bikes and infrastructure and integration with buses and trams.

If approved, a project team would be formed to carry out research and engagement with stakeholders, elected members and local communities to gather views on objectives and the options for delivering them. This work would then form the basis of recommendations to a future committee.

Read the full report, Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme – future delivery and interim community initiatives, on the Council website.

You can watch the discussion at Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 11 November.

Social Bite partners with Just Eat to launch Christmas Meal Appeal

●        Dame Helen Mirren urges people in Edinburgh to donate to support homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas

●        Comedian Rob Brydon and Olympian Sir Chris Hoy also encourage the nation to get involved

●        Just Eat launches scheme in partnership with homeless charity Social Bite, to provide meals in Edinburgh over Christmas

●        Customers can donate whilst ordering their takeaway and Just Eat will match their donations from Monday December 7th, raising funds for at least 100,000 meals

Dame Helen Mirren has urged people in Edinburgh to help raise money for homeless and vulnerable people in an appeal launched by Just Eat and Social Bite.  Other well-known faces including Rob Brydon and Sir Chris Hoy have posted videos backing the new Christmas Meal Appeal launched by Just Eat in partnership with Social Bite.

The appeal comes after reports detail the increasing issue of homelessness in the UK, and the increased pressure and reliance on charities as the nation deals with the economic and social fallout of the Covid pandemic.

2020 has been like no other, but one positive outcome from this exceptionally challenging year is the sense of community and camaraderie that has emerged. Over 50% of people in Edinburgh say the pandemic has made them far more aware of those in need around them while two thirds agree that the pandemic has made them more appreciative of the life they lead.

The funds raised will be distributed by Social Bite who support homeless people through meal donations.  Social Bite is the largest distributor of free fresh food to the homeless in the UK, giving out more than 140,000 items of food and hot drinks per year.

The initiative has also been praised by former government advisor on homelessness, Dame Louise Casey, who remains one of the UK’s most active advocates around the issues of homelessness and food poverty.

The Just Eat Christmas Meal Appeal is the perfect opportunity to help out and give back as we move towards the Christmas celebration, with many of us now hoping to be able to spend it with at least some of our family and friends. 

Just Eat has committed to raising funds for at least 100,000 Christmas meals for homeless and vulnerable people and with support from customers, are aiming to fund up to 200,000. Customers can take part by clicking the donation button whilst they order their takeaway. They’ll have the choice of making a £3, £5 or £10 donation and Just Eat will match it, pound for pound.

Andrew Kenny UK MD for Just Eat commented: “After an exceptionally difficult year for so many, we’re proud to partner with Social Bite & FoodCycle, matching customers’ donations pound for pound to provide tens of thousands of Christmas meals for the UK’s homeless and vulnerable people.”

Josh Littlejohn from Social Bite added: “This year has been a lot more difficult than most, with many people finding themselves financially vulnerable and in the worst-case, homeless.

“We know that Christmas, in particular, can be a very challenging time which is why we’re delighted to be partnering with Just Eat for the Christmas Meal Appeal to help fill at least 100,000 plates this year all over the UK’.

Dame Louise Casey said: “The economic conditions that have prevailed across the UK since March means there has rarely been the same need as there is now to support our homeless people and I really welcome initiatives like Just Eat’s Christmas meal appeal to raise funds and awareness for charities like Social Bite”.

Mary McGrath, FoodCycle CEO says: “We are delighted that Just Eat are supporting FoodCycle again this winter.  The Christmas Meal Appeal will help us provide nutritious meals to the thousands of people who simply cannot afford to buy food, including low income families, the elderly, key workers, students and asylum seekers.”

Alcohol product sales rise by more than a third during lockdown

  • Sales of takeaway alcohol products have risen by more than a third (36%) during lockdown, due to increased intake and offerings, new research shows. 
  • Brand new data compiled by Just Eat and City Pantry reveals the UK’s takeaway habits and how they’ve changed during the pandemic. 
  • Northern Ireland saw the biggest increase in product orders with a rise of 9.3%, while the West Midlands saw the lowest increase at 3.5%. 
  • Continued social distancing and flexible working will lead to steady increase in home deliveries, expert says. 


Takeaway alcohol product sales have risen by more than a third (36%) during lockdown, due to an increase in consumption and a wider availability of products, new research shows. 

The study, compiled by City Pantry and Just Eat, looks at how the nation’s takeaway habits have changed over lockdown, to reveal whether we’re eating healthier, drinking or eating more, and when in the week we’re most likely to indulge in a takeaway. 

Northern Ireland saw the biggest sales increase with orders up 9.3%, followed by the East of England with 7.7% and the East Midlands at 6.4%. The West Midlands (3.5%) and the North West (3.8%) saw the lowest rise. 

While this increase could be attributed to a rise in at-home consumption due to Brits being unable to visit the pub, it’s also likely due to more providers adding alcohol products to their takeaway menus than before the pandemic. 

This has been instrumental in allowing dine-in restaurants to pivot their services to maintain revenue while restrictions were in place, with all regions partaking in remotely purchasing alcohol products.  

Increase in alcohol consumption by region

As well as ordering more alcohol products, the data shows that some regions have grown progressively more adventurous with their meal choices. 

Brunch orders have seen the biggest maximum rise overall with orders jumping by 182% in Northern Ireland, while Scotland has seen orders of Greek food – such as moussaka, baklava and gyros – rise by 167%. 

Vegan and vegetarian orders are also on the rise, with plant-based takeaways rising by almost a third (29%). Not every part of the UK is onboard with the veggie options, however, as they’ve dipped by 10% in the Midlands and 7% in Scotland compared to before lockdown. 

Tom Squire, Financial Director at City Pantry, comments: “As businesses and individuals continue to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and practice social distancing, it’s likely we will see further growth in delivered-in meals.

“As such, it’s important that we in the hospitality industry continue to work together to find solutions that are COVID-safe and adapt to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

“We’ve already seen hospitality businesses adapt and create new offerings during lockdown –  from creating recipe boxes of their best-selling dishes to hampers that include treats and alcohol, all available for delivery to people’s homes.

“Convenience and variety have played a big role in this increased demand, with busy remote workers not able to spend sufficient time preparing all their meals from scratch every day.”

And increased alcohol sales isn’t the only habit that has increased during lockdown – dessert orders have risen by a massive 151% in Wales and 141% in the East of England, while the average takeaway order value is now 10% higher than before lockdown. 

To find out more about the North/South divide when it comes to takeaways, please visit: https://blog.citypantry.com/blog/national-takeaway-divide

Starring role for Edinburgh takeaways

Edinburgh takeaways, Mania of Lauriston Place and Turkish Carry Out on Easter Road, are heading for nationwide fame after landing lead roles in new UK wide advertising campaign for Just Eat. The eateries feature in new YouTube adverts, which celebrate humourous real life reviews from satisfied customers. Continue reading Starring role for Edinburgh takeaways

“Beyond thrilled”: Edinburgh mum lands 400 millionth order

Takeaway cheeseburger leads to trip to America for Edinburgh mum after landing Just Eat’s 400 millionth order

  • Gabriella Hicks placed Just Eat’s 400 millionth UK order after opting for a cheeseburger from Sugar & Spice Grill House on Colinton’s Main Drive
  • Just Eat rewards customer with a flight to America
  • Just Eat gifts Sugar & Spice Grill House with an electric delivery scooter and advertising campaign to help raise awareness within the local community
  • Three orders per second ensures Just Eat reaches 400 million orders, only 11 months after hitting 300 million – it took eight years to hit its first 100 million

Continue reading “Beyond thrilled”: Edinburgh mum lands 400 millionth order

Verona is top of the takeaways

JUST EAT REVEALS THE TOP 10 HIGHEST RATED TAKEAWAYS IN EDINBURGH

  • Verona on Cadzow Place takes the number one spot in Edinburgh with the classic margherita pizza as the top dish

  • Just Eat’s Top 10 is based on customer reviews in the past 12 months looking into quality, service and delivery time

  • Dalry and Gorgie are the areas of Edinburgh where Just Eat is most popular

Data released by Just Eat, a leading global marketplace for online food delivery, revealed that residents of Edinburgh have chosen Verona on Cadzow Place as its top takeaway. Continue reading Verona is top of the takeaways

Food envy could strike this weekend

Food envy is most likely to strike this pay day weekend, as a month of New year’s resolutions and spending cut backs have led to nearly half of Edinburgh adults falling victim to jealousy of other people’s dishes. Edinburgh folk suffer from food envy three times a month – with cheesy garlic bread, pizza and sticky toffee pudding the most likely dishes to bring on the green-eyed monster, a study has found. Continue reading Food envy could strike this weekend

David Attenborough named as Scots’ ultimate dinner party guest

david-attenborough

A survey by Just Eat, commissioned to mark the launch of voting for the British Takeaway Awards, has revealed Sir David Attenborough as the guest Scots would most like to share their last slice of pizza with. Continue reading David Attenborough named as Scots’ ultimate dinner party guest