A large number of Newquay’s food and drink businesses are delivering success against the odds, with many adapting the ways in which they operate in order to survive, thrive and support their local community in unique, innovative and special ways.
During a time of social restriction and strict government regulations, many food and drink-based businesses such as bars, health shops, cafes and restaurants are coming up with creative and flexible options to keep serving their Newquay customers. From direct, delicious doorstep deliveries, contactless collections to swift email orders, a significant number of Newquay’s independent businesses continues to innovate and demonstrate a true resilience during a time of global crisis.
Some of these businesses include Sprout Health Foods who has launched a new online ‘click and collect’ service, teaming up with local business, the ‘El Huichol’ Mexican street food van in order to deliver orders to households in Newquay and the surrounding areas.The Jam Jar Café is creating and delivering boxes of its delicious, homemade, gluten free cakes and scrumptious sausage rolls direct to doorsteps on a weekly basis, and the service has been so popular that demand already outstrips the capacity and owner Jess is having to stop taking orders by the Thursday of each week.
FreshPoint Local continues to keep the community consuming their five-a-day with its fresh produce boxes, with around 75 bespoke order slots per day ensuring that the very best, top quality, local produce reaches households across the town in a safe and protected way each day.
Other Newquay-based businesses that are delivering to front doors include Zaman’s Restaurant, whose teamhas also been out delivering free meals to NHS staff and has started posting online recipes, Morris Pasties, and Francine’s Fish and Chips. El Huichol (Mexican street food van) is keeping moral up and bellies full by delivering takeaways, as is the Portuguese Restaurant and Ganesha Thai Takeaway and Restaurant.
For anyone seeking some comforting sweet treats during lock down, Newquay’s Brownie Maid is taking orders for its wholesome brownies and assorted chocolate gifts across the UK via its website. Delivery in Newquay is free and contactless. WAX Newquay is delivering choices from its hearty menu from St Columb to Pentire and everywhere in between as well as running a ‘contactless collect’ service from WAX Watergate Bay.
Making the most of the virtual world we live in, stylish speakeasy Tom Thumb is holding digital cocktail masterclasses online and the owner of Wild Wine School is offering free and insightful weekly wine training sessions suitable for all levels of experience via video conferencing platform, Zoom.
Co-Owner of Sprout Health Food, Claire said, “Sprout Health Foods has been warmly welcomed into the Newquay community over the years since it opened its doors in 2016. We are keen to continue to serve our community during the coronavirus crisis, particularly as we stock the very items that are essential for people at this time; wholefoods and kitchen cupboard basics, immune supporting supplements and eco-friendly household cleaning products. By adapting the way in which Sprout operates, our customers can continue to shop with us in the safest way possible.”
Claire continued, “We hope that our innovative response to the changing retail climate will support the local community, whilst continuing to provide employment for our dedicated staff team and contributing to the longevity of our business during these turbulent times. Like many other local businesses, we are constantly adapting our operation in response to the changing situation around us, which ultimately may see us innovating in ways that will continue to be beneficial, even after the restrictive measures imposed by the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.”
Carla Jones, Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, said, “What some of the town’s businesses are doing during this time is truly remarkable. We are really proud to be part of such a vibrant, resilient network and we are constantly amazed at the creativity, innovation and spirit continually demonstrated. The support for such services has been great and we hope this continues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There has never been a more apt time that the local community is demonstrating the overwhelming need to shop local. Keep supporting those independents and long-standing pillars of our well-loved economy, whether itis placing an order, eating the takeaways, taking part in the online cookery classes or simply sharing their posts on social media with friends and family. All support for business is good support during this time. When Newquay emerges from this pandemic, and it will emerge, it’s just a case of when, the need for these independents and entrepreneurs within our community will be needed more than ever and may become more important to our communities than we ever imagined.”
Carla continued, “Knowing that many businesses will be concerned about the impact that these challenging circumstances will have on their businesses and also the welfare of staff, both physically and financially, the BID website is being updated regularly with advice and information as soon as we have it.
It is important to remember that we are all going through this together and that BID remains here to offer continuous support throughout these times. At the same time,we are constantly looking ahead, rescheduling events and opportunities, for when we return to normal operations, to ensure a footfall boost when residents and visitors can return to the town.”
Keen to do as much as possible to help everyone get through these unchartered waters, Newquay BID would like to hear any suggestions of what that they can do to practically support businesses and the business community in general. For example, if businesses are offering a delivery service or altered opening hours, then they would like to know if they can support that effort and message via their BID and LoveNewquay social channels and networks.
