How McMullen's Embraced Pokémon GO

16.08.2016

PokémonGo has taken the world by storm, a new app which brings the fad of the 90’s to life through a real time virtual experience where users can search their local surroundings for Pokémon. After its delayed release to the UK, streams of people have become addicted to walking around searching for bigger and better Pokémon whilst collecting points from “Pokéstops”. These Pokéstops, chosen by the app, are points of interest on the map where the player can venture to and collect experience points as well as virtual inventory for the game. By playing, you quickly discover that most public buildings and areas are put in the category of Pokéstop; fortunately in Hertfordshire this included a vast number of Macs pubs.

                As a result of being classified as a Pokéstop many businesses knew there would be noticeable increase of traffic moving past, a number of other companies originally saw this as a nuisance as the younger generation hit the streets in groups with their phones in hand. We saw it as good light-hearted fun.

                With many Macs pubs getting involved in the positive nature of the app, they took to Facebook to promote our PokéFriendly attitude to players enticing them to use the Pokéstop feature of the pub in exchange for “hydration” and “sustenance”. Some locations found a number of new faces coming through their doors mainly to use the Pokéstop but also to buy a drink or two.

                For pubs such as The Nags Head, Bishop’s Stortford, they have seen a great response from the public after announcing their involvement with the app over social media. “We have had multiple guests tell us that they have come to us so they can set up a Lure whilst enjoying their dinner and a pudding!” – GM Claire Johnson has also noticed that a number of these new faces have returned a couple of times since.

                Some Macs pubs have used great initiative with the app, setting up a ‘Lure Module’ in their Pokéstop which works as an enticement for Pokémon to show up, pubs such as the Coach and Horses have even created a PokéParty event whereby they set up Lures between 3pm-6pm for customers to utilise and in turn stay for drinks and food.

                The North Star – Welwyn, has recently been picked up by Smooth FM as well as the Welwyn Hatfield Times newspaper and The Mercury for their fantastic A Board artwork placed outside the front of the pub, promoting their status as a Pokéstop and suggesting for passers-by to stop for a “Pikachu and a Pint”.

                James Lee from The North Star explains that “in a technology based world you see people sat together on their phones not really talking, the Pokémon app in pubs has allowed strangers to open up channels of communication and socialise (even if the topic is an app)” and that further to this, younger generations are more inclined to socialise together and with. “With VR imminent more developers will look to create such games that bring people together like this.  Social gathering venues such as pubs should be looking ahead as to how they can engage with this.” The evolution of how people socialise continues at a fast pace and many pubs have struggled to adapt. “Macs pubs are increasingly alert to the need to embrace contemporary social media trends while still meeting the needs of those customers that value its authentic heritage.”

               Such things as Pokémon Go and the Ice Bucket Challenge bring a smile to the faces of those involved and those that watch and bring more people together - that’s what pubs are all about!

Read local news write ups HERE and HEREand Story from Business Grapevine HERE

comments powered by Disqus