Bear Grills Cafe have recently installed state of the art customer kiosks in their café.

They are the first café not only in Congleton, but in the whole of Cheshire East to install the technology in their store for customers to use.

The cafe, that has been established for over a decade in Congleton, is moving with the times and owner, Mark Winder, is delighted with the first few weeks trading with the new kiosks.

Mark said: "It is always a risk installing technology to help in any business and we had to make sure the kiosks were customer friendly and easy to use. We obviously knew we would encounter some teething problems, but now we have ironed those out, the kiosks have performed above and beyond what we could have wished for."

Opening times of the café have also been updated.

Bear Grills is now open from 8:30am until 2:30pm from Friday to Tuesday, as well as every Sunday from 10am until 3pm.

Mark explained: "We have had to adapt to the changing needs of customers, especially since covid. Gone are the days when we used to operate as a convenience for people coming into Congleton for shopping or working, as the reality is that there isn't much in terms of shopping or work in the town centre".

"We have reinvented our café and we are now a chosen destination and a reason for people to come into town, which we are thrilled with"

The kiosks are supplied by recognised card machine operator, SumUp.

Mark explains: "it wasn't an easy decision to make but we had to go with a trusted supplier and SumUp fitted that profile perfectly. The kiosks are extremely easy to use, they are fast and customers can "pimp" their meals with added items which is proving very popular in these early days."

There have been some grumblings from customers who have commented that the kiosks are replacing staff or that they are a step closer to a card only service, but Mark is quick to rebuff that claim: "The reality on the ground was that the staff, who re very experienced at working at Bear Grills just weren't able to cope with the levels of demand at peak times.

"We had customers walking out as we offered table service only that we brought in during the Covid Pandemic, and it was all just too much. The kiosks are there to help relieve pressure at those peak times. They do accept card payment only but if customers want to pay by cash we do allow customers to place their order at the counter now too."

The kiosks are up and running now, so make sure you pop in when you're next in Congleton and check them out.

Find the café online or visit the team at:

Bear Grills Cafe

Market Street

Congleton

CW12 1BP