Crisis can’t take away super community spirit
Businesses in Calderdale have reacted to the coronavirus outbreak in some inventive and inspirational ways.
Elland’s Thai takeaway café, SukanThai Food, is offering to pick up shopping for vulnerable people in the area and anyone self-isolating during the Coronavirus crisis.
The cafe has launched a new free delivery service to get hot food out to customers during the crisis. Owner Kiyara ARoonchai says that, while she’s out and about delivering, she would be happy to pick up supplies for those who can’t get out – even if they’ve not ordered anything from the takeaway themselves.
The deliveries, covering Elland, Brighouse and the surrounding area, can be completely contact-free with the food left in a pre-arranged place requested by the customer.
Kiyara said: “So many local businesses have now arranged for their staff to work from home . There are also people self-isolating who’d benefit from having a nice hot meal cooked for them and brought to their door.
“We’ll ring the customer when the delivery is about to be made, so they can tell us where to leave the food, then there’s no need for any personal contact with the driver. If someone is really in need of a hot meal, or even some shopping, we will do what it takes to get it to them.
“These are difficult times for everyone, when we all need to look out for each other.”
To order your food and arrange free delivery, or to ask for emergency shopping assistance is 01422 377779.
A refill shop in Brighouse is offering a drive through service to help slow the spread of
COVID-19.
By the Gram at Kershaws Garden Centre sells an array of zero waste goods, such as: pasta, rice, cereals, herbs and spices, toiletries and cleaning products. Customers can bring their own containers, weigh out exactly how much they want and pay by the gram.
Owner Sarah Holmes started the drive through service so that vulnerable customers could still access groceries without having to visit big supermarkets.
Customers can ring up with what they would like to order, than pick it up via the drive through.
“I’ve got a reasonable amount of customers that are on the threshold of having to isolate. I was worried about them not being able to pick up their essentials. I’m just trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get what they need.”
Last week, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised the public to avoid going to places such as “pubs, clubs and theatres”, work from home where possible and avoid all “nonessential”
social interaction, before ramping up ‘lockdown’ restrictions this week.
Although this has dramatically impacted on small businesses , By the Gram has actually seen an increase in business
“It’s actually had the opposite effect on us. With the supermarkets being empty, people have been coming here to get their groceries in.
“I count my blessings that the community has given us so much support.”
The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms has turned into a takeaway to ensure commuters at Sowerby Bridge Railway Station are still fed and watered.
Andrew Wright, from the business, said: “We’ve had a few regular commuters who normally buy from us and the odd customer who we’ve taken a cup of tea out to and they’re having it in their cars. ”
OMY Nails in Halifax have created some colouring sheets that customers can download for a small fee to help relieve some stress. Carrie Sleath, from the business, said: “We made the really hard decision to close until it is again safe to be open due to coronavirus. So to try to raise some funds, we created some colouring sheets that you can download to help support us but also to help our customers, as in times of high stress, colouring in is that little anxiety reliever.
“We’ve been really touched with the support from our clients during this time.”