When strolling through the streets of Cardiff, past its ornate buildings you will quickly notice that Cardiff is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, packed with stunning architecture and picturesque views. What you may not notice at first glance is the city’s vibrant, rapidly-growing tech community, constantly working to provide a technological backdrop to the city.
Although us Cardffians like to think of ourselves as traditional guys and gals the truth is that we are not, with the city of Cardiff evolving into a technologically-driven hub of culture, with businesses thriving off of their involvement with technology.
This new attitude has effected all types of industries and trades, changing the way companies operate as well as the manner in which they interact with their customers.
Dining out
Displaying an undeniable love for food and drink we were extremely excited when successful chain Burger and Lobster set up shop in the city centre, eager to tuck our gnashers into this modern, casual establishment. With the white table cloth now a dying breed it appears restaurants and eateries are doing all they can to accommodate ‘generation hipster’.
Having clogged up our news feed with images of buttery lobster the restaurant is making all the right noises to get bums on seats, but is it just the power social media that has encouraged their triumphs? It seems not.
According to a recent press release the Cardiff store has installed guest management technology, allowing them to streamline their service; providing more accurate waiting times and manage reservations.
Operations director, Simon King says:
‘We know that having staff manage wait lists on the door is a hugely labour intensive, so with Cardiff being our largest and first site out of London to take reservations, we needed to partner with a savvy supplier’.
When searching for a technological solution King said he needed ‘a solution that could work hand-in-hand with the front of house teams to deliver an outstanding customer service’.
These types of systems are now common within the dining spots of Cardiff, with the city now displaying a hunger to cater to the appetites of their customers in every way possible, again reinforcing the use of technology to do so.
Cleaning
Where spring-cleaning was once viewed as a housewife duty we have moved on from this type of stereotyping with both men and women just too busy to get those marigolds on. Where hiring a cleaner is not a new service to Cardiff booking your own cleaner online is.
This is the approach Cardiff cleaning company e Clean has chosen to run with, building a sophisticated online booking system that allows the residents of Cardiff to book their cleaner where, when and for as long as they so wish.
Victoria Gunstone, the company director says:
‘I set up e Clean as there was a demand for it. The people of Cardiff are too busy to shop for cleaners, find availability and then relay all the duties they want covered. The e Clean system helps everyone from working mums and the elderly to students and landlords, offering a modern cleaning solution’.
Street lights
The growth of new technology has unfolded in conjunction with Cardiff’s passion to become more eco-friendly, saving energy where possible. If you are lucky enough to live in Cardiff you will have noticed the ever-changing face of the city, with the traditional street lamp now a thing of the past.
Duncan McCombie, director at the Energy Saving Trust, said Cardiff council has taken ‘an innovative approach’ to street lighting, redecorating the streets in an eco-warrior fashion.
‘Newer technology allows our street to continue to be well lit and safe while reducing energy used, helping the council direct money to essential services while doing their bit for the environment,’ he added.
It comes about three years after some councils in Wales started turning off residential street lamps in a bid to save money.
From already well-established businesses to new start-ups, Cardiff now exists at the epicentre of the technological world. For anyone considering moving to Cardiff, it has the jobs, the elusive work-life balance as well as the best chips in Britain! What more could you possibly ask for?
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