Businesses across Lancaster district 'jumping through hoops' to stay open through Covid-19 pandemic

In the wake of the announcement of Tier 3 for Lancashire, businesses are reeling and assessing what next steps are required in order to support their employees and stay open.

The Covid pandemic and government guidelines have taken a toll on small businesses, which account for 99 per cent of all UK businesses.

Research by insurance company Simply Business has found the average small company has lost £11,799 to date and 25 per cent believe they are at risk of closing in the next six months.

Through these trials, however, we’ve seen a massive reaction of support from citizens recognising the need to use their money wisely to keep local businesses operating.

Whilst businesses are jumping through hoops to keep their doors open through new and adaptable ways. Whether shifting to take-away options or providing online shopping, we’ve seen an unbelievable amount of resilient and innovative thinking from our SMEs.

As the FoodFutures network continues to work together ‘toward a vision of a healthy, resilient and fair food system’ for all who live and work in north Lancashire, we have pivoted our normal Midwinter market to a Midwinter hamper, including items purchased from local vendors in order to support them and the local economy.

Additionally, all proceeds of the hamper will be donated to Eggcup, a surplus food redistribution hub committed toward providing affordable healthy food to local food clubs.

Toughness and elasticity, seemingly opposing attributes, are two words used to define resilience. Three of our hamper vendors have developed new offerings through their response to Covid-19 restrictions, showing remarkable resilience in making the best of a bad situation.

The Hadwin family have proudly farmed at Mansergh Hall for six generations, over 150 years. Following challenges which arose due to the covid-19 epidemic, including a cancelled milk contract, Love Ewe Dairy was born. Their sheep milk Brie will be included in the Omnivore and Vegetarian hampers.

Brew is a Lancaster centre cafe specialising in a seasonal menu and own-baked cakes. When they were unable to be open in Spring, Brew began offering tray bakes for delivery. In November ‘Baked by Brew’ was officially launched. All hampers feature a £5 gift voucher for the cafe, as they have turned their front door into a takeaway counter.

Sewing Cafe Lancaster is not a food-related business, normally this community group runs upcycle and mending workshops to encourage sustainable living.

However, their reaction to Covid-19 restrictions has resulted in a new natural dye project at Claver Hill community growing project where they locally grown, chemical-free pigments for dyeing and printing on fabric and in the future anticipate workshops in planting, growing, dyeing and mending. We’ve included their Natural Dye calendar in our Vegan and Vegetarian hamper options.

For more on all the items in each hamper option and to order your hamper before they run out, go online here