Restaurants add on just £1 to each table's bill, which is redistributed to different charities which help and support homeless people. A small information card is placed on each table giving customers the chance to opt out if they choose – although past experience suggests that such people will amount to less than 1%.
The scheme does not cost the restaurant anything, does not affect VAT returns and does not even affect tips left for the staff. At the end of the month, the restaurant simply adds up the donation from its till records and passes them to Streetsmart. All of the charity's running costs are paid for by the sponsors so customers know that all of their money goes directly to the homeless charities.
Each restaurant is given small cards to place on each table, which explain the scheme and donation to the customer. It also tells them they can decline to donate a pound if they wish.
In Manchester, Streetsmart's media partner is the Manchester Evening News and it is also supported by Manchester Food and Drink Festival, which also runs Tasteofmanchester.com
The idea is to help homeless people get back on their feet by funding projects such as day centres, supported housing a therapeutic activities and outreach teams.
For example, last year some homeless people in Manchester were given allotments on the outskirts of Manchester and many are now making a living from selling the produce and also enjoying the nutritional benefits themselves. The idea is to break the cycle by giving them opportunities to start to help themselves and also to discourage the general public from giving money direct to homeless people.
Restaurants that have already pledged their support are: Bacchanalia, Damson, Dough, Choice Bar and Restaurant, Gusto restaurants, The Modern, Obsidian, Park Inn, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, Grill On The Alley, The Lime Tree, The Living Room, Yang Sing and The Greenhouse
A full list of the participating restaurants, homeless projects funded and partners supporting StreetSmart can be found at www.streetsmart.org.uk
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