RESTAURANTS and other food outlets forced to close amid the Covid-19 lockdown have adapted their businesses to deliver food to customers' doors - and said they were overwhelmed with the support they had received.
The country will be in lockdown until Wednesday, December 2 with people being ordered to stay at home unless for specific reasons, such as attending school or college going to the supermarket or provide care.
Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues have temporarily shut while bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or takeaway services.
It is a massive blow to the hospitality sector as some Dorset business owners feared they are being “punished” despite low numbers of coronavirus cases within venues.
Dozens of non-essential businesses around Dorset have changed how they operate and offer doorstep deliveries and takeaway meals to their customers.
Business 'touched' by support feels towns would lose their 'character' and appeal if independent venues were close
Paul Ryan, of Loose Moose Catering, said he was initially “quite nervous” about how his takeaway service would be received but has been "touched" by the support and orders he has received so far.
His catering business of 15 years was “massively impacted” by the loss of weddings, parties, corporate events due to coronavirus restrictions but has seen a “great” reaction from customers to his lunch menu.
“We have been a little bit down on business but we have enough orders to keep us going”, Mr Ryan said.
“We are feeling quite positive and quite delighted with how customers have reacted to our food. It is going quite well and we are keeping up trade from pre-lockdown.
“The support we are getting from local people has been heart-warming. We are touched by their support.
“I would like to thank people for supporting us and keeping us going as well as help other local businesses.
“We would not be here without our customers.”
He also championed local businesses and felt that Weymouth and other Dorset towns would lose their “character” and appeal if independent venues were to fold.
Mr Ryan said: “If you offer a nice and friendly service, you will survive. A lot of people are supporting our small businesses during these difficult times and it is really important to do that.
“We are really pleased with the support from our customers and residents. We will see a way through it and we will survive the trials and tribulations of the last six to seven months.”
Deja Vu for fish restaurant as takeaways resume
For some businesses however, they are repeating how they operated during the first lockdown.
Weyfish, based on Custom House Quay, is continuing to serve takeaway food from their ‘Hatch on the Harbour’ window during lockdown and are also providing ready meals that people can order online.
Sean Cooper, owner of Weyfish, said: “Since the first lockdown we have been running a home delivery service which operates five days a week, Monday-Friday, for our whole catchment area – DT1 to DT5.
“We had less home deliveries in the summer because everyone was out and about taking advantage of the fresh air after being locked down, but already since the second lockdown started our customers are flooding back and our delivery van is out every day.
“Customers ring up and place their order and we send them a payment link so they can pay online.
“Our delivery lady wears gloves and a mask and she leaves the fish on the doorstep and waits for the customer to take the fish inside. Once they have she drives away so it is completely contactless and covid-secure.”
Customers can buy a number of delicious meals including luxury fish pie, lobster bisque and clam chowder.
'I am doing it for the hospitality industry and my love of food.'
Hannah Barnwell, of Hannah’s Kitchen, has returned to carrying out deliveries during lockdown, something she had previously attempted during the first national lockdown.
The 42-year-old said: “I am doing it for the hospitality industry and my love of food. People are so grateful that I am doing this and I have been very overwhelmed with support and love for my business.
“We dipped into doing this last time but had to do it very carefully as it was all new to us and there were some risks to doing it.
“But now the rules are clearer and the council has been helpful with their advice. We have a greater understanding of what to do and to keep ourselves and others safe.
“It is important to do this in order to keep busy, keep the business running and keeps my business in the public eye and engaging with people.
“I still want to be the business that people mention and recommend.”
Based at Portland United, her business sells sausage rolls, patters of food, afternoon teas as well as carveries on Sundays.
Mrs Barnwell has also been giving free food away to vulnerable families affected by lockdown and currently on furlough.
She continued: “I have been very busy. It seems to have gotten busy all of a sudden and my phone won’t stop ringing and my Facebook inbox has been flooded with messages.
“I am very grateful for the support and I hope it continues.
“Lockdown seems to have brought out a nice atmosphere in Portland and the businesses are all coming together to help each other out.”
Restaurant keeping open to help vulnerable people within the community
Based under Mon Ami hotel on Weymouth’s Esplanade, Three Chimneys Smokehouse and Grill is continuing its food delivery service to keep the business running and support its customers.
Paul Seabrook, restaurant manager, said: “We are open to keep the business ticking over and we wanted to feed vulnerable people in our area, including elderly people that live nearby.
“Our delivery service is largely to keep us going, keep staff busy but also to support the community, especially those who are struggling on their own.
“I know what it is like to be living on your own as I was in that position during the first lockdown and it can be tough.”
The restaurant, which smokes all of its meat in its kitchen, is running a limited menu full of food including steak, burgers, chicken wings, pastas, platters and desserts.
Mr Seabrook also shared that people can donate £5 to help feed a homeless person and he has also been giving out hotel supplies to those who cannot easily leave their homes.
Mr Seabrook said he has so far been grateful for the support from his customers, before adding: “Lorraine (Mon Ami and Richmoor Hotel owner) is is all about helping people out.
“We are thankful for our customers’ support and for supporting other businesses. The last thing we want is any local business to go under.
“If people can support their local businesses, that is so helpful and much appreciated by us all.”
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