MatchPint scores exclusive bookings partnership with Access Collins

03-Aug-2020 - Last updated on 03-Aug-2020 at 07:57 GMT

Game changer: 'The real beauty of this partnership is that nothing changes operationally for the venue - no extra admin, just more customers for live sporting occasions,' DesignMyNight's Leighanne Bent said

Sport pub finding app MatchPint has teamed up with DesignMyNight's sister company Access Collins to offer its more than 5m annual users a new and improved pub pre-booking journey post-lockdown.

Access Collins, which processed more than 40m bookings over 6,000 clients in 2019, will add MatchPint – which attracts more than 5.4m users per year and recorded a spike of 31% in users since lockdown – to a partner network which already includes Google, Trip Advisor, Time Out, Afternoon Tea and Bruncher.

“Re-opening pubs safely is of vital importance as the industry looks to plot a route back to prosperity,” Leo MacLehose, co-founder of MatchPint, said of the announcement. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer The Access Group’s industry-leading tech to all our pub customers.

“This is only the beginning of the strategic partnership and we’ll be announcing more ways that existing Access Collins customers can enjoy the benefits of MatchPint’s unique marketing platform for pubs.”

Crucial timing

Access Collins is part of The Access Group along with sister company DesignMyNight, which the Group acquired in November 2017 and currently attracts more than 6.5m visitors every month.

Recognised in The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2019, The Access Group helps more than 32,000 mid-sized UK organisations across commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

“The partnership with MatchPint has come into play at a crucial time for our Access Collins clients,” Leighanne Bent, marketing manager at DesignMyNight said of the collaboration.

“This partnership will help drive covers for booking partners at a time when pre-booking is critical to many businesses.

“The real beauty of this partnership is that nothing changes operationally for the venue - no extra admin, just more customers for live sporting occasions.”

Higher conversion

During a test of the new partnership in July, 95 venues received bookings for 1,601 people to watch the conclusion of the Premier League season on 26 July and the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea the following weekend.

What’s more, the Auctioneers in Glasgow saw 19 people make bookings for the opening day of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday 1 August.

“This integration will not only provide a better experience for customers but also strip out additional operations processes and reduce admin errors,” Sophie Herbert, marketing director at Beds and Bars – who have already signed up for the partnership – commented.

“We expect to see a higher conversion of sports enquiries coming through the MatchPint platform and as a business built on sporting occasions, this will deliver some great results moving forwards.”