Hospitality sector taps into Pokémon Go

Already popular in America, the owner of L’inizio Pizza Bar in Queens, New York has spent less than £10 on an in-game purchase that attracts Pokemon to a specific area called Lure Modules.

This concept can be applied in the UK - by placing a Lure Module inside your pub, gamers may see a Pikachu propping up the bar or an Alakazam dancing to the music on the jukebox.

Rise in trade

While it may seem a ludicrous idea because people can just wander into the pub, capture their Pokémon and leave, the pizzeria has seen a 30% food and drink sales increase compared to a typical weekend according to licensed trade consultant Russ Wragg.

Pokémon 'gym'

Once players have downloaded the game to their smartphone, they have to play through the camera and will see Pokémon pop up along pavements, car parks and other locations. The aim is to capture Pokémon and battle against other players. They can also 'train' their Pokémon at a 'gym'.

A 'gym' is found in a specific location and is often at pubs such as the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn, in Wales and the Bulls Head in Croydon, Surrey.

Steve Marquis from the Blue Bell Inn said: “We are a gym and we have had a handful of people come in following the release of the game usually with a drink too and, given that we are in a rural location, that is good.”

He advised that a good internet connection and having a strong Wi-Fi "pays dividends".

• Find out about Pokémon Go pub crawls here​.