In Birmingham’s creative quarter of Digbeth, Lovelife is transforming all-day dining into a multisensory, Mediterranean escape. Led by General Manager Gregorio Cunsolo, who brings 15 years of hospitality experience from Italy, the restaurant and café has quickly established itself as a standout destination in this up-and-coming neighbourhood.
“My passion is to start projects from scratch,” explains Gregorio, who opened Lovelife just over a year ago. “I like the idea of having my input and watching it grow, almost like a baby taking its first steps. It feels rewarding to start seeing it populated with customers and eventually becoming successful.”
Creating an immersive experience
Lovelife’s success stems from its holistic approach to hospitality. “When customers walk into Lovelife, they walk into a mini portal where it almost feels like a mini vacation,” Gregorio says. “The ambience is very relaxing due to the colour palette, the plants and also the way the staff have been trained to look after each and every guest.”
The restaurant’s commitment to quality extends to its menu, which changes seasonally every three months to showcase the best ingredients. This attention to detail, combined with a focus on personalised service, has helped it build a loyal customer base in an area that’s changing rapidly.
The challenge: balancing traditional service with modern efficiency
While Lovelife embraces traditional hospitality values – like greeting the customer at the door and taking initial orders using pen and paper – it needed a point-of-sale system that could keep pace with its growing business. Its previous system, while feature-rich, proved cumbersome and difficult for staff to use.
“The software we were using before Square had lots of customisation, however it was not so intuitive,” Gregorio explains. Having a system that was complicated for staff to use only contributed to the daily challenges the fledgling business was facing. “We opened the business at a risky time,” he says, citing the twin pressures of economic uncertainty and a local neighbourhood that was still shedding the rougher edge of its reputation.
The solution: a streamlined approach that’s easy for staff
Gregorio says the decision was made to migrate to Square because the system is both functional and aesthetic: “The interface is designed to be as simple as possible,” he says. “Since we transitioned to Square, the whole process of taking orders and putting them through the till has improved and streamlined the service.” And it’s not just the staff who are benefitting – he says even customers are impressed when they use the Square Register touchscreen.
Since we transitioned to Square, the whole process of taking orders and putting them through the till has improved and streamlined the service.”
Gregorio Cunsolo → General manager of Cafe Lovelife
A system ready for the lunchtime rush
Lovelife relies on an integrated suite of Square products to manage its daily operations. At the heart of the system is the Square Point of Sale, complemented by handheld devices that prove invaluable during peak service times. “When the restaurant is busy and we just want to take a quick order at the table, which could be adding an extra plate of food or a second round of drinks, we can do that straight away,” Gregorio explains. “The orders get directed to the kitchen or bar printer instantly.”
Digital tools for customer connection
The restaurant has also embraced digital engagement tools, offering Square gift cards and upgrading from loyalty cards to the Square loyalty programme. The latter has particularly resonated with nearby college students. “When we had the old-fashioned stamp card we realised a lot of them were saying, ‘Oh I forgot my card at home,'” Gregorio explains. “[The Square loyalty programme] is definitely an improvement and I can see that they’re enjoying earning points with each payment.”
Data-driven improvements
Square Dashboard has transformed how Lovelife tracks business performance. Every Tuesday, Gregorio analyses weekly sales data and optimises the menu based on which items are selling best and which are not performing as well. With their previous software, Gregorio found this process complicated and time-consuming. Now he can see a clear breakdown of sales at a glance: “With Square, I can go straight to the point and see exactly what I’m looking for.”
Next steps: growing with integrated technology
As Lovelife expands into delivery services through Uber Eats, Gregorio and the team are considering implementing Square’s Kitchen Display System to further streamline kitchen operations. “Square has definitely contributed to the success of the business with its intuitive system and functionality,” says Gregorio, adding that he takes pride in watching the business improve day by day. “For me, it’s rewarding because I’m passionate about hospitality – I do what I love. Every day when I come to work, I put my best into it.”
