A CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE
THE CITY’S CAFES AND COFFEE SHOPS WRESTLE WITH THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THEY SHOULD - OR SHOULDN’T - STAY OPEN FOR TAKEWAY SERVICE IN LIGHT OF THE RISE IN COVID CASES
OWNERS of a number of Greater Manchester cafes have described the ‘crisis of conscience’ they face over opening for takeaway sales in the latest lock- down.
The official government guidance states that hospitality venues are permitted to remain open for takeaway and delivery services.
It means that people can still collect takeaway coffees, cakes and meals from local restaurants and bars, though alcohol is only allowed to be sold through delivery orders.
But with the nation also asked to follow a ‘stay at home’ message, it’s left some operators questioning whether they should remain open, just because they can.
Northern Quarter cafe Idle Hands has described the struggle and the ‘daily crisis of conscience’ it is facing.
In a post on its social media channels, its owners wrote that they had to ‘hold their hands up and say we are not essential’ in the face of rising infections.
Although the Dale Street coffee shop – popular for its homemade sweet pies – stayed open to sell off the remainder of its freshly-baked goods this week, it’s now going to reevaluate how best to ‘navigate this whole mess.’
Along with other hospitality businesses, it faces a catch-22 situation where it needs to be busy to justify opening – but to be busy contradicts the measures put in place to combat the current health crisis and widespread infection rates.
They wrote: “So being in town today to bake, paired with seeing the news, the scale of infection and the overwhelming feeling that this is only going to get worse, we’re really struggling with what to do.
“We have to hold our hands up and say we are not essential, we know we’re not. This ‘takeaway loophole’ means we CAN open, but we’re not convinced we SHOULD.
“We need money, but we need our family more, we need customers, but we need customers to stay home more.
“Basically the only way us opening up is beneficial for us is if we’re busy, but if we’re busy it’s a sign that these restrictions are only going to last longer... I guess we are on the side of the sooner this lockdown is taken seriously, the sooner we can return to normal.
“That said, we’ve already baked, so we’re going to be here for takeaway Tuesday-Thursday. Then we’ll judge the landscape off that and make a decision.
“More than likely we’ll be shutting again and concentrating more on the delivery side once more (with a bigger offering) and hoping that can see us through.
“Sorry to flip flop so much.
“In all honesty we have daily crisis of conscience and have no idea how best to navigate this whole mess. Not sure anyone does, but there are our thoughts, written down in crystal clear waffle.”
Neighbouring cafe Nibble shared the post, agreeing that it’s an ‘impossible’ situation to deal with.
Its founder Lauren Irlam wrote: “It’s pretty impossible right now to know what the right thing to do is!
“For the business, as individuals (take furlough or don’t get paid), as people trying to keep people safe, everything works against each other.
“It’s wrecked my head this time round too.”
Similarly, Burnage craft beer cafe
Reasons to Be Cheerful has made the ‘really tough decision’ to close for the time being, despite having an off licence to sell takeaway cans and bottles.
Owner Elena Rowe posted: “Now then, here’s a thing. Today I’ve made a really tough decision.
“In light of recommendations from the science guys to act as if we have Covid and double down on avoiding contact with people, Reasons will not be opening back up as an off license for at least the next 3 weeks.
“We really just want to keep you lot and us lot as safe as possible in what feels like the final slog to the end of this colossal s**t show. We will review this again at the end of the month.
“In the meantime I’ll try do some deliveries, but please bear with me on this as I’m but one woman and I only have a little car.
“When I’ve slots available I’ll post and operate on a first come first serve basis. Thanks so much, as ever for the ongoing support.”
Policing minister Kit Malthouse has urged people to take a ‘common sense’ approach to getting takeaway food and drink, describing it as ‘one of those Scotch egg moments.’