Edinburgh cafes and restaurants form 'united front' against big companies such as Deliveroo and UberEats in new takeaway project

Over 100 restaurant owners in Edinburgh have registered with the Secret Takeaways platform to form a united front against third-party delivery companies like Deliveroo, Just Eat and UberEats.

The owners – who are fed up with paying commission rates of up to 35 per cent to delivery services – have registered with the new platform in a bid to drive business directly to their door rather than allowing the industry giants to continue taking advantage.

Secret Takeaways launched in Edinburgh today, Friday June 4, and will roll out to other cities across the UK in the coming months, after initially launching as a webpage in March 2020.

The service originally just listed local and independent restaurants which weren’t available on the “big three” delivery apps in Edinburgh and London.

Founder, Callum MacPherson, said: “Unfortunately the big three apps hold most of the consumer demand, so restaurants are at their mercy.

“You won’t find Nando’s or McDonalds on Secret Takeaways.

"It is a place for independent brands that have their own ordering processes.

"They have partnered with some of the best brands in Edinburgh including Civerinos, Bross Bagels, Chop House, Lioness of Leith, Luxford Burgers and about 100 other great Edinburgh restaurants, many of whom consumers might not have discovered yet.”

Over 100 independent Scottish restaurants join revolution to end extortionate commission fees. Picture: Mitchell MacGregor Agency

Restaurants and takeaways are charged a flat monthly fee for membership, starting at £100 per month, saving them thousands of pounds in commission.

How will it work?

Secret Takeaways offers a platform that links customers with their local restaurant’s ordering system.

User experience is at the heart of the design with customers able to search by location and category as well as being able to view a variety of takeaway and ‘at home’ options.

Clara Gomes, community manager at Secret Takeaways

Clara Gomes, community manager at Secret Takeaways said: “Our listings aren’t just bland menus, they tell the brand’s story and showcase their offering making the ordering process a much more human experience.

"For example, one of our member restaurants, The Pakora Bar, is run by three brothers who want to share their mother’s cooking with the city they love.

"Deliveroo don’t tell you that. But we do. Deliveroo also won’t tell you that when you order directly from The Pakora Bar, it’s 15 per cent cheaper.”

What have local Edinburgh businesses said?

A spokesperson for Bross Bagels said: “Supporting Local has never been more important.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything it's that we are stronger together, so teaming up with such an incredible list of Edinburgh's top independent foodie spots for the Secret Takeaway is exactly how we want to enter the new world.

"And being able to offer direct delivery is such an incredible feeling.”

A spokesperson for Burger Mama @ Lioness of Leith, said: “We do not like the commission that Deliveroo, Uber Eats etc... demand.

“We hope to launch our own delivery service some day in the not-too-distant future, in the meantime, we feel a direct order/collection from us, provides great value and a better customer experience.”

Tupiniquim Brazil Crepes, said: “During the pandemic many businesses like Tupiniquim were forced to pay Deliveroo's commission rates.

"As an independent business owner, I can't survive this way so I'm so pleased to see Secret Takeaways offering an alternative that actually helps independent businesses rather than exploiting them.”

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