Sudbury food businesses rise to the challenge of coronavirus outbreak by offering alternative services
Businesses in Sudbury and the surrounding area are providing a vital lifeline for people impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Following a continuing rise in cases of the disease, Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed more stringent restrictions this week, instructing the public to remain indoors – with the exception of venturing outdoors to exercise and to buy essentials.
While some businesses wound up their operations for the foreseeable future, others have adapted to the unprecedented challenges and are offering alternative services to purchase supplies.
Chris Weston, who owns Weston’s Bakery in Sudbury, is operating a collection service called dough and go, which has attracted a huge demand for baked goods.
“We are baking 24 hours a day,” she said.
After placing an order by phone at the family-run bakery, customers arrange to collect their items from outside the business in Gaol Lane.
The order is then brought to the customer’s vehicle where they can use a contactless payment method.
Since establishing the service, Mrs Weston, who runs the business with her husband, Pat, and older children, said they had used a month’s supply of flour to bake loaves of bread.
“My ovens haven’t gone off yet, so I don’t know what my electricity bill is going to be like,” she said.
While some of her younger staff have had to stop working, Mrs Weston said other employees had stepped in to help meet demand.
“I’m extremely proud of them,” she said, adding that it had been upsetting to witness the impact of the pandemic on other businesses in Gaol Lane.
“I think it’s dreadfully sad,” she said. “We have had people come in here who had to close and have become quite tearful.”
Mr Weston, a 73-year-old baker, who has been forced to self-isolate, learnt the art of baking from his father at a young age.
Daughters Jo, 36, and Liz, 31, both from Sudbury, help out at the business, along with step-son Jerry.
Mrs Weston commended the efforts of her whole team, including manger Garry Farthing and baker Pete Elwood.
Jamie’s Meat Inn, a butcher’s shop in North Street, has seen an increase in its delivery service.
“Anything we can do to help is great,” said manager Damon New. “In times like this, we all need to pull together.”
To meet the increasing demand, the business has had to order a larger amount of goods from its own supplier.
With a rise in panic-buying and stockpiling at supermarkets, Mr New said customers unable to buy their usual items had approached the business.
Due to the unprecedented situation, Mr New highlighted that the business had been forced to adapt quickly to the increasing challenges.
“We are just taking it day by day,” he said, adding that, by ordering stock daily, they were able to meet demand.
A list of contact details for businesses providing a delivery or collection service can be found below:
Food & Groceries
Avon
Selling everything from soap and toiletries to cosmetics and skincare. Contact your local rep Sharon Goddard.
07908 089942
Cox’s Boxes
Custom fruit and veg boxes with free local delivery. Prices start at £6 per box.
01787 311582
Budgens
Long Melford grocery shop taking delivery orders.
01787 377766
Byham’s Dairy
Groceries (dairy, juice, bakery, crisps, potatoes, household products and compost) to your door.
01787 372526
Jamie’s Meat Inn
Free local delivery of fresh meat.
01787 311104
Health Foods For You
Offering health foods, supplements and natural toiletries, plus refill service, via click and collect, local delivery and post. Can’t find what
you need on their website? Give them a call to see if they can order it in for you.
01787 828262
Lavenham Butchers
Local meats and fine deli foods.
01787 247226
Mitchee’s Fruit and Veg
Halstead-based market stall can now deliver fresh fruit and veg, fresh eggs and baked goods.
07595 073321 | mitchees@outlook.com
Nethergate Brewery
Fresh or bottled beers, wines, spirits (and even nuts and crisps!) delivered within a 30 mile radius. Call to place your order.
01787 377087
The George, Cavendish
Working with local suppliers, The George can get your groceries together for you, including fresh produce, meat and eggs. Phone or email by 6pm and your groceries will be ready to collect the following day at 12pm.
01787 280248 | thegeorgecavendish@gmail.com
The Jolly Meat Company
Local meat supplier, delivering in this area.
01473 810119
Weston’s Bakery
Dough-and-go service: Simply order the day before and arrange to collect from one of their locations by staying in your car and beeping your horn. Staff will come to you, take payment and pass you your baked goods.
01787 313130
Hot Meals
Bridge Project
Hot meals, delivered throughout Sudbury, Acton, Great Waldingfield, Long Melford and Great Cornard, seven days a week. Vegetarian and lighter options available, with monthly invoicing. £5.50 for a freshly cooked daily special and £2.50 with dessert.
01787 313691
Ree’s Cafe
A selection of hot and cold meals brought to your car. Possible delivery starting soon.
07976 441733
Newspapers, Tobacco etc
The Kiosk
Place your order of sweets, tobacco and newspapers before 11am to get same-day delivery.
01787 319498
Pet Supplies
See Dee Pets
Dog, cat, rabbit, horse and small holding feed, plus treats, toys and collars delivered directly. See Dee Pets also sells wild bird feed and feeders, plus coal and logs. Delivery is free. Currently, Pebmarsh, Alphamstone, Belchamps etc on a Thursday and Sudbury, plus surrounding areas, on a Friday.
01787 311122
Mobile Phone Repairs
Sudbury iPhone Repairs UK
Your iPhone phone collected, repaired and returned
07766 022776 | info@sudburyiphonerepairs.co.uk
