TiPJAR app launches donation page to help Sheffield hospitality workers through COVID-19 downturn

Bar staff and other hospitality workers are facing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

TiPJAR, a peer-to-peer tipping system, now allows Sheffield residents to donate directly to hospitality workers in need in the city, simply by scanning a bespoke QR code or visiting TPJR.us/Sheff-Fund, with 100 per cent of donations going to Hospitality Action to distribute.

Alex Moor, company chairman, said: “We would love other organisations and industry bodies to reach out to us and work with us to raise as much as we can and get it to those who need it most.

“These are our people and we need to do whatever we can to help them now.”

Research by creative agency KAM Media found 49 per cent of pub bosses think they will go out of business within a month. In the meantime, pubs expect to lay off 75 per cent of staff.

James Brown, TiPJAR founder, said: “This industry built so many of us, so we wanted to help.

“We have partnered with Hospitality Action and have built a platform for businesses and communities to donate funds for workers in their city, town or if they want to for raise money for staff in their specific local pub they can apply to do so.”

“We were hoping the government would announce something better and our project was a big waste of our time, but sadly I am not sure we got that.”

Find out more on Hospitality Action at www.hospitalityaction.org.uk To find out how to apply for a grant, go to wearetipjar.com/emergency-fund