Butchers carve it up in lockdown
A Timaru butchery has improved its online technology to counter the challenges presented by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Amos McCoy, co-owner of Burgers Butchery on Church St, said the business had launched a revamped website in April in an effort to make services more userfriendly.
‘‘The website needed a revamp, we had one but it wasn’t mobile phone friendly.
‘‘The new website was the kick in the butt we needed.’’
McCoy said the new website helped the business continue delivering products during lockdown.
‘‘It’s made a big difference for us and having that option is also good for our customers.
‘‘We have found deliveries hard to navigate at times, but we generally spend the first part of the day packaging things up then the second part delivering.’’
The business had also bought a new mobile payment terminal with Paywave option, he said.
‘‘That’s another part of keeping everybody else safe as well as ourselves.
‘‘For the first two weeks of lockdown we were not allowed to open but we were allowed to supply essential business, that kept us afloat.
‘‘After two weeks we were allowed to do deliveries. Not having the public come in to see us has been pretty tough.’’
The three-man operation had been reduced to two during lockdown, but the third staff member would return to duties, McCoy said.
‘‘Level 2 will mean a lot of change as we will pre-package everything ready to go for the sake of keeping people safe.
‘‘I think supporting local business at this time is essential.
‘‘A lot of businesses haven’t been able to do what we have done during lockdown so we have to support local business.
‘‘I think the thing for small businesses is not to be afraid of change because there is plenty of it at the moment.
‘‘We would also like to thank our loyal customers who have made a huge difference.’’