‘We want to give local businesses a chance’: Exeter Chiefs player launches food delivery app

An Exeter Chiefs player is among those behind a new local food delivery app launching next week.

The Exeter Eats app aims to bring independent restaurants, takeaways, and food businesses across the city together on one delivery platform.

Richard Capstick, who has been playing rugby with Exeter Chiefs since he joined its academy aged 14, was inspired to bring the app to the city after spending “several years” operating pizza restaurants in the South West.

The rugby player opened two pizza takeaways in Taunton and Bridgwater, Somerset, during a “break” in his rugby career.

He said: “From that experience I soon realised the challenges the hospitality industry is facing, and the increased difficulties faced by independent businesses especially.

“It’s so hard for small, independent restaurants to compete with bigger chains and so we wanted to introduce a platform that would highlight local family restaurants.

“The new app will only feature local businesses - including cafes, shops, and takeaways. There will be no big international names because we want to give locals a chance.”

Mr Capstick told Exeter Today that other food delivery apps often prioritise larger chains through promotions and deals that small businesses can't compete with.

He said he saw first-hand the impact a platform such as Exeter Eats can have on the local economy after a similar app was introduced in Taunton.

“The app had a massive impact on sales at our restaurant and so when I realised Exeter didn’t have anything like it, I knew I wanted to introduce it.

“Exeter has been a massive part of my life and this is our opportunity to build something that can hopefully give back to the city and the businesses within it.”

It is understood the platform will “work closely” with restaurants to support them with menu setup and marketing and will not charge them to use the app or any associated equipment.

“We’re not doing this as a money-making exercise - we’re here to support people,” said Mr Capstick.

“We want to remove any hurdles for small businesses and make it as easy a process as possible.”

Mr Capstick said it can be a “challenge” juggling a career in rugby with operating restaurants and now launching a new app, but says it is “definitely worth it”.

“Feedback so far has been incredibly positive,” he said. “We’ve already got 37 businesses in the city signed up ahead of the launch and interest is growing rapidly.

“I really hope the local people get behind it. Some of the food at these places is incredible - Exeter has an amazing independent food scene and we really want to see it grow.”

Exeter Eats is scheduled to go live on Tuesday, November 17. Customers who place orders through the app during the launch period will receive 30 per cent off.

The platform hopes this deal will encourage people to “discover independent businesses they may not have ordered from before”.

It is understood Exeter Eats will be available to residents on both Android and Apple, as well as through a website online.