Entrepreneurs predict dining out boom for West Midlands

Discount dining businessmen Geoff Abbott and Trevor Land are predicting a boom time for restaurants throughout the West Midlands in 2010.

The pair, who launched The Gastro Card just over a year ago, have seen a big rise in the number of cards sold for the New Year and they put it down to a growing confidence throughout the region’s business sector.

“We aren’t through this slump completely but people are starting to feel much more confident about their financial situations and are starting to spend a little more freely. Membership of The Gastro Card is growing all the time and the “corporate card” is really in demand,” said Geoff, a former PwC accountant now living in Solihull.

The corporate card allows companies to have their own logo and message on batches of 25 or more which are then presented to clients and contacts as well as to employees.

Former group exhibitions director at Birmingham’s NEC, Trevor added: “People are aware that now is a great time to get new clients or renew friendships with old ones. A Gastro Card with your logo on it is proving a very popular with businesses around the region.

“If a client has just enjoyed a good meal and then uses a Gastro Card to get a 25% discount then they are going to think of the people who gave it them favourably.”

The Gastro Card has restaurants throughout the Midlands offering discounted meals and wine. For further details of participating restaurants or information on how to buy corporate cards visit thegastrocard.co.uk.