While residents are doing their bit to stay home, support the NHS and save lives, many small businesses across the district are working hard to support their local community with essential food or supplies.
By adapting their businesses to take orders online or by phone, and delivering direct to the customer’s door, these businesses have been a lifeline to many older residents, and to those who are shielding or who cannot travel to the supermarkets.
The district has many rural villages and these home deliveries, ranging from bakery goods and fresh produce through to wine and gardening products, has really seen the whole community coming together to ensure that no one feels isolated or alone, and to make the lockdown more bearable.
In Deal, a local resident has been able to secure a grant from Deal Town Council and produced a website www.dealdelivers.com that details every local business offering a home delivery service.
It is uncertain how long the full lockdown will go on for, but it is certain that the way we live our lives will change considerably as we practise maintaining a safe distance from each other for the foreseeable future.
Jeff from Vanes the Bakers in Dover said: “Our customers have been keen to continue ordering from us, and we have seen many new customers who can’t go out who would like a regular delivery of bread, savouries and cakes. There has been a rise in orders for birthday cakes since the lockdown!”
Richard and Annette from Wingham Country Market, Farm Shop and Garden Centre said: “As we have been experiencing some wonderful spring weather, customers have been looking to work in their gardens and are really appreciating being able to pay over the phone and have home delivery.”
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “Small businesses who have been able to keep trading have changed their business models significantly so they can offer doorstep deliveries to the residents who need it. I am extremely proud of how the community is pulling together to support each other in these unsettling times.”
Details of local businesses offering home delivery services are being regularly updated on the Dover District Council website at www.dover.gov.uk/homedelivery If your business is delivering essential food or supplies, please let us know and we'll add your details.
Posted on 27 April 2020