Local businesses divided as Uber Eats launches in Darwin

HUNGRY Darwinites are celebrating the news Uber Eats is coming to the NT capital — but not all local business owners are as happy

Parap resident Maddie Harding is excited that Uber Eats is coming to Darwin. Picture: Keri Megelus

HUNGRY Darwinites are celebrating the news that Uber Eats is coming to the NT capital – but local business owners aren’t so happy.

Uber Eats NT manager Elisa Janiec confirmed the popular food delivery service would start serving Darwin customers in early July.

People in the Darwin CBD and the surrounding suburbs will be able to order in, but those living past the Berrimah Line aren’t so lucky.

A map showing the areas that Uber Eats will deliver to when it begins operating in Darwin in early July

Jason Hanna, who owns venues including Deck Bar and Chow, took to Facebook to vent his frustration.

“I’m taking bets on who will be the first Muppet to sign up to this,” he said.

“Personally I want to meet any operator of a Darwin food business that can afford to give 30-35 per cent of the bill to Uber so I can congratulate them for being a f***ing legend.”

But Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Bicknell cautiously welcomed the announcement.

• UBER Eats food delivery service to launch in Darwin

“Anything that can serve benefit to the restaurant trade here is very welcome,” he said.

“As long as we don’t see less bottoms on seats in restaurants.”

Mr Bicknell said if the service simply encouraged Darwinites to stay home and order in rather than visiting physical restaurants, it would have a negative impact on local businesses.

However, Ms Janiec remained optimistic – telling the NT News it was an opportunity for Darwin businesses to attract more customers.

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Ms Janiec said Uber had received “overwhelming support” since it launched in Darwin in August.

“We’re expecting similar levels of support with Uber Eats,” she said.

Ms Janiec said this week, Darwin Uber users would be sent a survey that would allow them to vote on which restaurants they’d like to see using the app.

Based on those results, Ms Janiec said the Uber Eats team would start speaking with local businesses to see if they would be keen to sign up.

Ms Janiec remained tight-lipped about the payment arrangements with restaurateurs.

“Each commercial arrangement is confidential,” she said.

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Parap resident Maddie Harding is excited about Uber Eats coming to the NT. “I’ve been waiting years and years for this,” she said.

“It might make my weekends easier.”