Welcome Systems Ltd, the online booking solution experts for the hotel and catering sectors, has successfully launched its latest product – ‘Welcome Table’ – at a gathering of restaurateurs and hoteliers last month at an event in the company’s home town of Northampton.

Welcome Table has been designed to solve a host of problems for busy restaurants which still rely on outdated paper diaries, or have no web-based booking facility.

Speaking to guests at the Northampton and County Club, John Jones, Commercial Director at Welcome Systems Ltd, said:

“Many restaurants are underselling themselves by not being able to take bookings online, or have overly complex and expensive systems in place which simply don’t fit their needs.

“Welcome Table is incredibly easy to use and allows customers to visit a restaurant’s website or Facebook page, check live availability, add notes or make any special requests, and book instantly.

“The restaurant receives this information instantly in an online booking diary, which can be managed on a PC, tablet or smartphone and is shared with front-of-house and kitchen staff. The system also manages details of guest preferences and offers personalised customer email and SMS messaging.”John Jones Welcome Table

Welcome Systems Ltd believes this innovation is the tip of the iceberg after new research from Google shows that restaurant-related searches are up 17% year-on-year, and 80% of people looking for a restaurant online want to make a booking there and then.

John continues: “With major competition in the table booking sector Welcome Systems believes simplicity, efficiency and value for money is vital if pubs and restaurateurs are going to take advantage of the rapid growth in online demand.”

The launch event was also attended by Paul McManus’ of The McManus Pub Company, who spoke about his successful chain of pubs and bars, and will also be trialling Welcome Table at the Sun Inn in Hardingstone, Northamptonshire.

Paul said: “Online booking is clearly the future for pubs. Consumers have become very particular about what they want and demand exceptional service. They’re drinking less alcohol, but when they do drink they’re being discerning and spending more.

“Diners are increasingly making last-minute decisions about going out and events, such as Halloween, have become very important to us. Our job is to ensure our guests receive exceptional service along with great food and drink and we’re very excited to be looking to the future with Welcome Systems Ltd.”

For further details on ‘Welcome Table’ please visit our website.