Eat and shop locally and help save our dining heritage
Dear Resident
Once you’ve read this message please forward to all your friends locally.
Our area has a rich selection of restaurants and take away outlets. We have had a huge choice of global cuisines from which to choose. But overnight all were forced to close – to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Imagine how desolate our area would be if, when the restrictions are eventually lifted, many were never to open again.
However. many are now adapting and providing collection or delivery services Obviously no table dining. Over the last few days more are trying to keep afloat by providing delivery services.
Some have their own drivers, but many are now using the delivery platforms of Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo. Their websites are helpful guides to finding which ones are open. No risk of placing an order that won’t materialise either.
Some cafes are also experimenting too.
It is often difficult to tell that a restaurant is providing delivery service because they will generally only light up the kitchen at the rear. Also not all those providing delivery services are listed on the on-line food platforms. So please check the list. (Downloads as a separate document) See if your favourites are to be found.
And of course, as you would expect, many takeaway format outlets are also continuing to provide foods from fish and chips to Chinese or Indian.
Drivers are (I have found) scrupulous in sticking to distancing guidelines. No longer perhaps perceived as nuisances dodging through traffic, they are now, in my opinion, essential workers. And please don’t forget to tip them generously. (Food platforms such as Uber Eats allow you to add a driver tip.)
The outcome – we can now enjoy a wide range of delicious freshly cooked food.
It’s a win, win. We can eat very well and at the same time support these businesses for the future. It’s less shopping too. And provides something to look forward to each day.
Additionally many of us are rediscovering our local shops. Once visited perhaps for emergencies, many provide practically everything that you might need. In fact the deli selection is often much better than the big supermarkets. Also shorter queues.
If you click this link you will find a list of all the restaurants, take always and local food stores, that are currently open and providing services. It will be kept up to date on the FLDRA website.
So do enjoy a locally cooked meal and ensure that in the weeks to come these establishments will still be there when we return to the new normal. And spread the word