Tyl by NatWest has entered into a strategic partnership with akru, the cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform powered by Zonal, in a move aimed at transforming payment and operations technology for hospitality businesses across the UK.
Under the agreement, Tyl by NatWest will serve as the preferred payments partner for akru, integrating its secure payment processing with the platform’s smart POS system. The collaboration is designed to provide independent restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and small hospitality chains with a seamless end-to-end solution for managing both customer transactions and day-to-day operations.
The fully integrated platform will enable venues to sync payments directly with their POS systems, a step expected to reduce errors, improve security, and streamline back-office functions such as sales tracking, inventory management, and real-time reporting. Industry analysts say the partnership highlights growing demand for cloud-based systems that not only process payments but also support smarter business decision-making.
James Hodgson, CEO of Tyl by NatWest, described the collaboration as an important step in supporting small businesses in the hospitality sector. “We’re thrilled to become the preferred payments partner for akru and to bring together our technology in one holistic solution for hospitality venues,” he said. “This partnership directly supports our commitment to provide small businesses with reliable, easy-to-use payment tools that empower them to offer an outstanding customer experience.”
akru, developed by hospitality technology provider Zonal, has been expanding its presence among independent operators looking for agile systems that can scale alongside their businesses. Steve Roberts, Managing Director at akru, said the partnership with Tyl by NatWest builds on this ambition. “By integrating secure, efficient payments into our cloud POS, we’re able to offer hospitality businesses across the UK an end-to-end solution that’s simple to use, but powerful enough to support their growth and ambition,” he explained.
The collaboration is expected to expand Tyl by NatWest’s footprint in the hospitality industry, reinforcing its role as a provider of technology-driven payment solutions. At the same time, akru gains a major banking partner that strengthens its offering with secure, trusted financial infrastructure.
Both firms said their joint solution is designed to be easy to adopt while still offering advanced functionality, enabling venues to boost operational efficiency and deliver a smoother customer experience in a sector where margins are often tight.
The move comes as the hospitality industry continues to modernise its technology infrastructure following the pandemic, with digital tools increasingly seen as essential for growth, resilience, and customer engagement.
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