Firms pull together as virus crisis heightens
NIKI TENNANT
Shops, businesses, caterers and bars across Rutherglen are scrambling to play their part in keeping customers safe as the biggest health crisis in a generation tightens its grip.
With people warned to avoid pubs, clubs and cinemas, fears are emerging over the future economic viability of many businesses.
Posters went up at all points of entry at the Rutherglen Exchange centre alerting shoppers to measures that should be taken while they are out and about.
Bosses have suspended the nonessential cleaning of areas such as high level glass in order to free up staff to concentrate on areas of frequent contact such as lift buttons, handle rails, toilets, benches and surfaces in public areas.
Stores within the centre are still receiving regular deliveries – but stock is going out as quickly as it is coming in.
Yesterday, Home Bargains had essential goods such as toilet roll, pain relief, baby care and long-life food stuffs.
Among reports in some supermarkets of a shortage of essential baby care products, Superdrug has assured customers that they have in stock nappies, milk, wipes and bottle accessories.
Centre manager Jane Cowan said: “Our store teams are working very hard to maintain a good level of stock in these challenging times and regular deliveries continue to bring fresh goods.” Tod
Opticians are still operating as normal, but have ceased all home visits.
Members of staff in the practice are wearing protective gloves and masks when carrying out examinations, and are asking customers who are unwell not to arrive for appointments or consultations, but instead to call 0141 647 6502.
A bold poster on the door of Dickson Pharmacy in Rutherglen Exchange warns anyone who has symptoms or has travelled to an affected area in the last 14 days to “Stop” and “Do not enter”, but instead call 0141 531 4124,
Meanwhile, Burnside café Jingers is helping to ease the stress on the community’s older people. Owner Jane
Hynes and her team will drop homemade meals and craft boxes to homes within a three-mile radius – and delivery is free for pensioners and anyone spending £10 or more.
While some local businesses and licensees are seeing a downturn in trade, others are witnessing a spike in demand for their products.
Gary Hosie, sales director with Rutherglen-based industrial cleaning machines and equipment supplier PTS Clean, has seen a surge in demand for its anti-bacterial floor and surface cleaning chemicals and hand sanitisers.
And he is insistent that his company’s priority is to cater for the needs of existing customers rather than profiteer on the back of the current health crisis.
“Since the virus has taken off, we have had a lot of people asking for a lot more floor cleaning chemicals to go along with the machines,” he explained.
“We have given an undertaking to supply our current customers first and keep the price the same. It is very annoying to see companies trebling their price and trying to make money out of this situation.”
As the threat of Covid-19 grows, Halfway community council used social media to issue an appeal to locals to look out for elderly and vulnerable people who may be feeling anxious and alone while selfisolating for up to three months.
Posting a picture of a postcard offering help with collecting groceries, posting mail, picking up urgent supplies or just a friendly phone call, they appealed for locals to post it, with their contact details, through the doors of people who may be struggling.
The community council appealed: “At this extremely difficult time, we are seeing and hearing about some community spirit. We need to think about our vulnerable neighbours and, if we can, offer some help.
“If you feel you can’t knock their door and check in on them at this time, please think about using this postcard and send it through their letter box.”
And the postcard reads: “Call or text me and I will do my best to help you, for free.”
Volunteers are urged to leave items on doorsteps “to ensure you are spreading only kindness.”