A DIGITAL marketing agency providing online takeaway and restaurant orders has received an investment with support from a law firm.

Takeaways Online (TO), in Sunderland, secured backing from the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund, managed by Rivers Capital Partners.

Rivers was advised on the investment by law firm Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle.

Founded by entrepreneur Kevin Jager in 2012, TO allows takeaways and restaurants to take and process orders online for a flat monthly fee, rather than paying a percentage of proceeds from every sale.

The service has grown in popularity in the North-East and the UK, with more than 50 outlets signed up.

Bosses plan to increase that by 1,000 in the next 12 months with the help of the investment.

Mr Jager, TO director, said: “The takeaway market in the UK is the largest in Europe with scope for even further expansion as more and more people make use of technology as part of their daily lives.

“We estimate our system and our marketing help can increase a client's profits by up to 80 per cent.

“The investment will make a real difference to the pace which we can expand the business.”

Imogen Holland, Ward Hadaway corporate partner, led the firm's team advising Rivers Capital Partners.

She said: “It is always a pleasure to work with Rivers on investments that help to build growing businesses in the North East.”

Nikita Bazko, River Capital Partners’ portfolio manager, added: “Kevin and his team have spotted a real opportunity in the market and have developed technology which is already proving popular with clients.”