Cafe’s delivering success after virus shuts its doors

Another city centre business has had to close its doors as local lockdown restrictions continue to hit the hospitality industry hard.

Keyley Marshall had reopened her Coppertree Cafe in Olive Street at the end of July and had welcomed regulars back through the doors, as well as new customers, who visited as part of the successful Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

But just weeks after the August scheme ended, and businesses were getting back on their feet, Sunderland was put into local lock down with the latest tightened restrictions making it unlawful for house - holds to mix in any indoor setting.

The businesswoman says the latest round of restrictions has had an immediate crippling effect on the business, leading to just two take away orders a day.

It means she has had to close the business for sit in custom and to temporarily let go of a chef she’d just taken on to help expand the cafe’s offering.

The Coppertree Cafe is the latest city centre business to announce its closure for the time being as a direct result of the local lockdown restrictions.

Others include The Peacock, 808 Bar & Kitchen, Ttonic, Glitterball and The Point.

"August had gone really well,” said Keyley. "People felt comfortable about being out again and we had a lot of our regulars coming back, some who’d needed to shield during lockdown, as well a new customers who were coming in because of Eat Out To Help Out who said they’d definitely be coming back.”

She added: “But as soon as th ese new restrictions came in, on the Friday and Saturday we had two take away orders and a couple of people through the door.

"You can’t even pay a wage on that, let alone your bills.

"Friends can’t come in for a cup of tea and cake together now and we used to get people coming in their work bubbles of six.

"But now they can’t even do that, because it’s a work bubble, not a household bubble.”

Key ley,who’ d opened the business with success last October, was in the process of hiring a chef so she could offer Sunday dinners and potentially open on an evening, however, she’s had to put that process on hold.

She’ s now had to close the doors so that she can focus on the orders and deliveries.

She said: “I think it’s really unfair for cafes to be grouped in the same category as pubs with the restrictions.

"People don’ t socialise in a cafe in the way they do a pub, they’re not hugging their friends or losing their inhibitions because they’ve had a drink.

"We had already taken tables out for social distancing, so it’s not like it was a crowded place.

"If the restrictions continue it’s really going to push small businesses away.”

In the meantime, Keyley is focusing on deliveries of cakes such as giant peach mel bas, strawberry tarts and more, as well a spies and quiches.

You can make an order by contacting Keyley direct on 07432479348.