South Shields Eats - East Boldon man set to take on takeaway giant JustEat with new app-based delivery service

Some 15 restaurants in the borough have already signed up to the takeaway delivery service South Shields Eats, which is run via a new app, and is due to launch on April 22.

Matt Fenton, previously of East Boldon, who is running the operation, said the service will benefit small businesses in South Tyneside.

He said he says it takes 7.5% commission from orders, which he claims is about half that charged by some larger competitors.

Mr Fenton said the South Shields Eats service also promises to reimburse an initial installation fee for its ordering equipment, which he says some larger firms do not.

It comes shortly after news of an equivalent platform for Sunderland, called Sunderland Eats, which is due to launch at an earlier date in April.

South Shields Easts also joins North Shields Eats, Washington Eats and Blyth Eats as neighbouring Local Eats services in the region.

The business was first piloted Barrow-in-Furness, where the Local Eats franchise is now headquartered, and is gradually developing its own network of providers across the north of England.

Mr Fenton said the takeaway service would also see return investment from Local Eats into South Tyneside as part of the franchise deal with borough traders.

“As part of the franchise agreement, we have to spend money in the local area,” he explained.

"So I’m hoping to be able to put some of the money back into football teams in South Tyneside, among other projects.”

Mr Fenton added South Shields Eats would allow residents to order from more ‘niche’ local traders, including a Michelin-trained chef who operates from a kitchen at his mother’s property.

"There’s another guy who’s starting up a BBQ company. He’s got a double garage where he prepares a lot of the food and then he cooks it in his back garden. His daughter delivers it,” he said.

"So that’s another benefit of the service. There are places on there that are very niche and that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

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