Little shops, big hearts

HALLELUJAH! After temporarily shutting, our favourite Italian restaurant in South London, Lo Paste Tradizionali, has reopened for collections and deliveries on Friday to Sunday.

The place only launched last July, but we now can’t imagine our neighbourhood without it. What better way to show our support than by ordering mountains of homemade bavette al pesto and focaccia every weekend.

The most uplifting stories I’ve heard in recent weeks are almost all about small businesses adapting to not only survive but thrive — and to put themselves at the heart of their communities.

Last week, we reported on a handful of these heart-warming tales, and they continue to pour in. One friend told me how her family’s local pub, The Fleece Inn in Bretforton, Worcestershire, has launched ‘Fleece TV’ on Facebook to keep spirits up. The landlord Nigel Smith reads funny messages and keeps everyone informed about online pub quizzes and how many pizza delivery slots are left.

Another friend wouldn’t stop raving about the fact that he can have pints of beer brought to his door. (There’s a theme here.)

Others are gleeful their bakery, butcher, greengrocer or farm shop will now deliver. They are proving a lifeline for vulnerable people who are struggling to get a supermarket delivery slot weeks from now.

When normality returns, we must remember what these small businesses did for us up and down the country, and do our best to help them recover. For while the ingenious steps taken ensure some money is still coming in, it will almost certainly not be enough to make up for all they have lost.

Money Mail reader Val Sprott’s email sums up the sentiment perfectly. She says: ‘I’d like to give a cheer to the independent shops all over the country who have saved the communities they are based in, in these difficult times.

‘I’ve seen shopkeepers serving at their doors, rather like the oldfashioned days of the corner shop where everything would be behind the counter. Others have been organising delivery services, or you can phone or email with your order and pick it up at the door. Some have quickly put together websites which show items you can order.

‘These shops have had all my custom and will continue to receive it once the emergency is over. If you can, shout out loud and clear for the UK’s small shops — heroes the lot of them!’ Hear, hear.

Hero readers

WHILE on the topic of heroes, I have two special mentions of my own, for Money Mail readers Kirsty and Mike.

Both sent such thoughtful emails offering support for a couple who featured in our letters page last week. The Beatles fans had suffered a devastating two years following the death of their son, and were struggling to get their money back after being forced to postpone a special birthday trip to Liverpool.

Kirsty wrote: ‘I could not help but be moved and would love to send them a small token such as a voucher or even a bunch of flowers with my best wishes.’

Mike said: ‘I was greatly saddened by the events leading to this unfortunate situation. I would like to offer my four-bedroom house in Liverpool to the family involved as free accommodation to be used at a future date when travel is allowed. My home is within two miles of Strawberry Fields, as well as John Lennon’s, Paul McCartney’s and George Harrison’s houses.’

I passed your emails to the couple, who were bowled over by your kindness and thank you warmly.

Travel chaos

FINALLY, another plea for the Government to offer disappointed holidaymakers some clarity.

It is estimated that 500,000 holidays have been cancelled, at a cost of around £4.5billion. Under normal circumstances, package holiday providers and airlines would be legally obliged to refund travellers. But many are refusing over fears they may go bust.

If travel firms need more time to be able to fulfil refund requests, ministers must amend the law accordingly so everyone knows where they stand. Right now, it’s an ugly and desperate free-for-all.