A Colby couple has launched a free online food ordering website to help Manx businesses keep trading during the pandemic.

Jess and Nic Le Merle, who set up their digital and software development agency ’Afundi’ a year ago, created the website Eatout.im within 72 hours to support restaurants, cafes and their customers.

The website acts as a middleman where clients can select a business and see its menu before placing an order.

From there, they follow the restaurant or cafe’s payment and delivery methods that are in line with the social distancing measures.

Before we went to print, the businesses signed up to the site included: Noa Bakehouse; Ellan Vannin Hotel; Always Time For Tea; Milntown Cafe; Flavours Indian Cuisine; Greek Food Story; Bonds Restaurant; The Supper Club - Baie Moar Guesthouse; The Boatyard Restaurant; Kurries and Steaks; Ross Bakery; Best Kebab; Ocean Restaurant; Green Island Coffee; Delissimo and The Tea Junction.

Jess, a co-director and a digital marketing consultant, said: ’The idea was born out of knowing some of our clients in the Manx restaurant scene were facing a really big challenge ahead when it came to trading through these unprecedented times.

’We felt we needed to use our expertise to build something that could help them stay open and afloat at this difficult time.

’Having an online ordering platform mad sense to us and them, so we just dived straight in.’

The couple worked tirelessly with the website being officially launched on Tuesday (March 24).

They are continuously improving the website while adding new restaurants and getting the word out to the public.

’The biggest challenge is that a platform of this size would normally take weeks to plan, develop and test the fact that we did it in 72 hours is just insane, even to us,’ Jess said.

’We also know it is not perfect, but we understood that time was precious and we needed to get something live and then improve as and when we can.’

Both Nic and Jess were touched by the positive encouragement they received while working on the website.

Jess said: ’It has been truly incredible. I have been inundated with emails from people who simply wanted to say good luck, or how could they help or just thanking us.

’We have also leaned on our network of friends in the industry who provided support when it comes to things such as copywriting, proof reading, testing the platform from a technical level, sense checking and just generally giving advice.

’The Isle of Man is such a special place in this regard.’

Once Eatout.im was made live, the couple ordered porridge and hot drinks from Cycle 360 in Douglas. They said the launch was ’massively rewarding’.

’We see day in and day out how hard they work to keep their dreams alive and to know we could give them a small glimmer of hope really just made all of the work we put in worth while,’ Jess said.

’If we can help them, even just a little bit, it will give us so much satisfaction.’

She added: ’We are a new business with similar challenges, so I think we keep reminding ourselves how grateful we would be if someone stepped up to help us out in the way we hope we have helped everyone else.’

The couple are looking to add restaurants who already have an online ordering system. There is no charge for businesses or customers.

Visit Eatout.im or search for Afundi here: www.afundi.im/