Market research confirmed and highlighted the lack of resource and interactive learning aimed at understanding, assessing and determining the need for PAL. Wakefield Council advocates the use of innovation to help provide businesses with resources which unlock regulatory barriers and empower businesses through self-directed support. We observed an opportunity to design and create an interactive, stylised, fun and digital learning interface aimed at SMEs, with a vision to create a simplified and practical learning experience regarding the effective use of PAL. We had established there were no training or learning resources tailored to SMEs around this topic; therefore, we wanted to ensure we created a universally accessible training experience. The project has placed innovation at the forefront of its design, necessary to provide inclusivity, be understood and sustainable for longevity use; helping businesses to save money for the things that matter the most.

Since the launch of AllergyPAL, the most significant outcome is the immediate feedback which we have received from the FSA in response to the tool. The FSA advised Wakefield Council they were ‘happy to be quoted in the press release, stating what a useful tool AllergyPAL is.’ The FSA have also advised they will publish a link to AllergyPAL on the FSA’s website to promote and encourage its use. This is a major outcome, and we recognise the significance of the FSA’s decision to support and promote its use. This outcome will spotlight AllergyPAL as the ‘go to’ learning resource for PAL, contributing to the deliverables of the core outcomes detailed in our originally stated aims and objectives; furthermore, we anticipate the integration of AllergyPAL will increase the traffic to the site significantly.

AllergyPAL has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF), initiated by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This fund has empowered Wakefield Council to create a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and positions the UK as the best place to start and grow a business. We would not have been able to fund the project without the grant and extended support from the BEIS team. The Food Standards Agency - soundboard ideas.

The Food Standards Agency have been integral in the development of AllergyPAL. We have managed to communicate and influence the FSA to support the development of AllergyPAL, i.e., provide feedback regarding the functional designs and technical information needed to deliver a meaningful and up-to-date training resource and agree to the sign-posting of AllergyPAL on the FSA's website. Clay10Creative who have developed the web application, transforming our technical information into gamification.

Wakefield Council have focused on driving and levelling up AllergyPAL through further transformation as since the launch of AllergyPAL we have partnered with Deliveroo and Editions who are now including AllergyPAL as a training resource which will be offered to business who are registered with the platforms.
“What a great tool!! We could make this compulsory for all chefs/partners in the UK as we have done with the Allergen Training.” - Deliveroo - Editions
Google analytics has shown the site has received over 1000 visits with an average user time of over 5 minutes. We are currently working with the FSA's legal governance team to launch AllergyPAL as a signposting resource in addition to their allergen information and guidance.

We were required to deviate from the original concept idea, which was to create a ‘drag and drop’ digital interface. The original ‘drag and drop’ interface would have allowed the user to digitally move equipment through the POV style kitchens, to find ways of providing corrective action to the hazards associated with the question. However, due to the complexities of the digital engineering and time required to mobilise this style of interaction, we had to opt to escalate our planned continuity to deliver the project within the prescribed time. We were able to overcome this ambiguity through effective planning and ensuring we had produced a plan of continuity in the event of design and time limitations.

We faced obstacles liaising with internal and external stakeholders and the ability to obtain the various signatories needed to fulfil and signoff the stipulated conditions of the RPF contract, which was largely due to the 2022 Christmas period between the date of the award being granted and the start date of the project. These challenges were all mitigated by the aforementioned teams working above and beyond their usual turnaround procedures. Furthermore, we were fortunate these teams were supportive, embraced innovation and were comfortable with novel concepts. Colleagues were collectively enthused by the idea and opportunity to deliver such a unique product. Wakefield Council provided a very supportive environment from which to operate

The project has not been replicated due to the complexities and versatility of AllergyPAL's use. We have shared AllergyPAL across a plethora of forums to engage businesses and regulators on the benefits of AllergyPAL and encouraged regulators to signpost the AllergyPAL tool. AllergyPAL is actively been discussed across the hospitality sector and has caught the interest of HospitalityUK who are currently holding internal discussions regarding how AllergyPAL can be integrated into the existing HospitalityUK guidance.

During the planning stages of the project, Wakefield Council would have benefited from establishing the specific information required to fulfil the contractual obligations in line with the sign off from Regulator’s Pioneer Fund’s Terms and Conditions, and to identify the relevant internal stakeholder involvement required to efficiently return the funding T&Cs.

Due to the complexities of the internal governance requirements associated with accepting external funding and the timing of the grant fund being awarded just prior to Christmas closedown, Wakefield Council could not return the grant approval for the requested t&c’s and associated authorised signatories until the 17th January 2023, delaying the start of the project.

“AllergyPAL is absolutely FANTASTIC! The interface is beautifully designed, the aesthetic is so visually appealing, and it is so easy to use!”
- Lizi, Toast Coffee House, Normanton

“Wow, proper fancy! I like the graphics and the way the view zooms into areas of the kitchen.”
- - Food Standards Agency

“Having completed 2 of the modules I think this is very good – the fly-through and graphics are excellent and question level about right too. Super work”
- - ASM Global

“The visuals, look and feel, and scenarios are absolutely great, and I really enjoyed taking the True PAL master challenge!”
- - West Yorkshire Trading Standards