Clever calculator helps pinpoint perfect point to meet friends and family

A clever calculator has been created to help far-flung family and friends meet up – bang in the middle.

Research has revealed two-thirds of UK adults have missed out on family and friends’ events due to restrictions.

And with the country having a lot of catching up to do, the new tool shows you where you should meet to avoid one of you having to travel further than the other.

You can type up to three locations into the calculator, based on where your loved ones live, and the tool, created by Premier Inn, will show you the perfect halfway location for a catch-up for up to four groups.

The tool Meet Inn the Middle is also populated with nearby attractions, lots of which are free, along with locations for nearby hotels for overnight stays.

It comes after a survey revealed 65% of UK adults who have friends and family living more than 100 miles away struggle to decide where to meet each other.

Meanwhile, almost half of the respondents – 46% – have put off organising a get-together because it was too difficult, with almost a quarter of people (24%) saying that it often takes several days to plan an overnight get-together.

However, as restrictions have been eased, 38% have spent a night away seeing loved ones – with 91% enjoying the catch-up knowing they were staying overnight and didn’t have to rush home.

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Two-thirds of respondents – 65% – stated finding a location that is affordable for everyone is one of the most important factors in planning a get-together.

Simon Ewins, Managing Director for Premier Inn said: “Only recently have we once again been able to catch up with our loved ones in person.

"But our research shows despite people wanting to get together with friends and loved ones more often, many still find that barriers such as a meeting spot which is convenient and affordable for everyone can be off-putting.

“We hope our new ‘Meet Inn the Middle’ tool, which is simple to use and shows the halfway journey point for up to four groups as well as inspiration for days out, offers the perfect solution so people can rest easy whoever they are meeting.”

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The survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed 61% felt lockdown made them realise they didn't see friends and family as often as they should have.

And almost two-thirds (63%) are going to make more effort catching up as the country nears a return to normality.

But when it comes to logistics, things need to change with more than a third (36%) disappointed when planning a meet-up as they had to travel much further than the other people attending.

Almost half (46%) of those surveyed via OnePoll have been put off organising a get-together because it was too difficult, and 24% saying it takes days to plan.

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However, reducing the travelling distance will increase attendance, with 58% more likely to visit loved ones if the venue wasn’t as far away.

More than half of respondents (56%) also admitted they’d be more likely to organise the get-together if they didn’t have to travel so far.

The study also found 44% had forgotten that the UK is a great place for a city break, but 61% said the pandemic has made them appreciate the UK's towns, cities, and countryside more.

Simon added: “The UK has so many wonderful cities to visit, full of attractions which makes it perfect for catching up with friends and family.

“And it's far better to slash a journey time in half, so instead of pondering whether to meet at yours or theirs, why not meet in the middle?"

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