Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week

We asked

Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week took place between 4th and 10th November 2024. This was a pilot to test out the appetite for such an event. To help us to understand if this should become a regular fixture in the Aberdeenshire culinary calendar, we wanted to know what you thought of the first ever Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week and if you participated by visiting any of the venues taking part.

We also partnered with the Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card during the Week and so wanted to understand awareness of this scheme at the same time.

You Said

Communication

  • When asked where you saw Restaurant Week promoted the most popular responses were Facebook (42%), via email (25%), and in the press (17%)


Feedback on the pilot Restaurant Week

  • 85% of respondents rated the choice of venues as excellent or good
  • 85% of respondents dined out during Restaurant Week
  • Your main reasons for participating in Restaurant Week were – the discount was appealing (36%), to try a new restaurant (34%) and wanting to visit a favourite restaurant (17%)
  • 62% of you dined with a partner, whilst 42% dined in a group (family or friends)
  • Most people (63%) dined out once, with the majority of people spending between £21-£40 (22%)
  • 32% of you also spent money in other businesses as a part of your Restaurant Week visit
  • 50% of respondents said Restaurant Week encouraged them to visit a part of Aberdeenshire they don’t normally go to


Thoughts about future Restaurant Weeks

  • 83% of you would definitely like to dine out again during any future Restaurant Week events
  • When asked how long a future Restaurant Week should run for, 33% of respondents said 1 week, 52% said 2 weeks and 15% said 1 month
  • 64% of you would like it to run at the same time again (November) or have no preference
  • 52% of respondents felt that Restaurant Week should be extended to two weeks, 33% liked the one-week format whilst 15% said it should run for a full month
  • 70% of you said the event should run twice a year with March being the most popular other month suggested
  • General feedback received was focused on improving awareness/publicity, encouraging businesses to better promote their offer by having the special menu available without having to ask for it and doing their own promotion, increasing geographical coverage and the range of venues taking part


Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card

  • 63% of respondents were aware of the Aberdeenshire Gift Card, however the majority of people had not given or received a card
  • Supporting the Aberdeenshire economy, receiving discounts and introducing an e-gift card were the most popular options for encouraging people to purchase a gift card in the future


We Will

We will use this feedback to inform our decision-making around the possibility of delivering future Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week events. If it does continue, we will use this information to aid planning and promotion. We will also share this with businesses so that they can understand why they should get involved and how they can improve their offer. As we develop any new plans, we’ll provide further updates so you can stay informed about potential opportunities to dine out and support the Aberdeenshire hospitality sector.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape our work to benefit the Aberdeenshire economy.

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