Generous restaurant boss serves up 100 free meals to vaccine volunteers and staff
STAFF and volunteers administering vaccinations at Derby Arena were in for a nice surprise at the end of a busy day when 100 hot meals arrived for them.
Baljit Atwal, the owner of the Slice of India Restaurant in Mansfield Road, accompanied his mother and father for their vaccinations at the arena in early February.
He was very impressed by the service and efficiency from the moment he and his parents arrived at the arena and then throughout the whole experience.
To show his appreciation he decided to go back and treat all the staff and volunteers at the arena to a free Slice of India meal.
Mr Atwal said: “I am extremely grateful for the care, diligence and professionalism of all medical staff and volunteers.
“Everyone involved in the whole vaccination process has been fantastic and I wanted to say a little thank you on behalf of our family, Slice of India and all our customers.”
Like all restaurants, Slice of India has been forced to close during the pandemic but has continued to provide a takeaway service.
The venue has diversified into having a drive-in cinema in the car
park, which will re-launch on April 12, ahead of the restaurant reopening on May 17 – providing the timetable for the Government’s road map to easing out of the current lockdown remains on target.
Mr Atwal said: “Vaccination is the key to allowing businesses to reopen, so we are really pleased to find a way of saying a little ‘thank you’ to all those involved at the arena.”
The hot meals arrived at the arena just ahead of it closing, so staff and volunteers could collect one to take home as they finished for the day.
Dr Drew Smith, clinical lead for the Derby City combined GP vaccination service, was present to help receive the meals.
He said: “This is a very thoughtful and generous act which I am sure was much appreciated by the staff and volunteers, including the Derby Arena staff, who are all working together to provide such a vital service.
“The vaccination programme in Derby and Derbyshire has been a leading example across the country of which we are exceptionally proud.
“It allows us to see a view out of the
Mr Atwal was helped by Labour leader on Derby City Council, Baggy Shanker, who made arrangements for the safe delivery of the meals Covid-19 pandemic.” everyone involved has put into this
Mr Atwal enlisted the help of operation to make it such a success.” Councillor Baggy Shanker, Labour The first vaccinations were group leader, to make the administered at the arena in arrangements at the arena to deliver December and since then thousands the meals. of jabs have been given, with a large
Mr Shanker said: “I think it’s a great number of people returning for their reflection of all the hard work second inoculation.