Like many modern hospitality businesses, Days relies heavily on digital systems for stock ordering, marketing and staff management, and most customers pay by card.
Their previous broadband service was slow, expensive, and unreliable, leaving tills and terminals struggling to sync.
Staff wasted time waiting for payments to go through, leaving customers frustrated. The cafés couldn’t even offer Wi-Fi to diners.
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Owner of Days, Rob Collins, who took over the business in January, first experienced Fastr Broadband’s service at York Christmas Market, where his stall ran smoothly thanks to the innovative and reliable Wi-Fi solution provided by Fastr for stallholders.
He decided to switch both cafes to Full Fibre from Fastr, following a personal recommendation from another local business owner already seeing the benefits.
In doing so, Days also became the very first customer to take Fastr Broadband’s new VoIP service (Voice over Internet Protocol).
The upgrade allowed them to retire the old copper phone line and run business calls directly through their broadband connection, bringing clear, low-cost calls, flexible call handling, and future-proof reliability as the UK prepares to switch off copper lines.
Rob and his team are no strangers to hospitality. Already running a successful mobile drinks business, they decided to put down permanent roots and bought two cafés in York city centre to nurture and grow long-term.
Since taking over, they have carried out a full refurbishment, refreshed their brunch and lunch menu, and partnered with local food heroes to supply food, cakes and beers, keeping a local feel and reducing their carbon footprint.
Since switching to Fastr Broadband, Days has seen instant results. Faster, more reliable internet means the tills and card terminals sync seamlessly. Phone calls are clearer and cost less.
The team can now upload videos and photos for social media with ease, and digital systems run without stress. Customers can even enjoy using the café Wi-Fi.
Rob said: “I was prepared for a tricky installation, as one of our buildings is Grade II-listed, but Fastr’s engineers were great. They found a solution quickly and got the cafés up and running in no time.
“It’s a domino effect. With better internet and an integrated phone service, we can now achieve everything else on our to-do list, but good broadband was a priority.
“It’s one less headache! Now, we can focus on what we love most: creating good days filled with happy customers.”
Rob’s advice to other local businesses is simple: “Do it! They’re nice guys and it’s great broadband.”