Coronavirus update: the latest news from West Midlands businesses
The Butchers Social, that began life in an old butchers’ shop in Harborne, has gone back to basics in order to preserve the restaurant in Henley-in-Arden.
Mike Bullard, chef-owner of The Butchers Social, has created an new menu that offers ready-made, restaurant-quality meals for locals to enjoy at home.
The restaurant has also started to offer a takeaway service, ensuring that loyal customers are able to enjoy the famous chicken wings in the comfort of their own home.
The restaurant has also began selling produce, from local suppliers. Selling bread, milk, eggs and even toilet roll has enabled The Butchers Social to keep supporting their local suppliers and pay staff wages, all whilst providing a service to the local people of Henley-in-Arden. The team are retailing beer, wine and soft drinks with just a small mark-up enabling them to keep the cash flow going which will increase longevity of the business in the coming weeks.
Bullard said: “It is such a scary time for hospitality at the moment, but we are making of the most out of a bad situation by retailing our products and serving up ready-made meals. We’ve had such a great response from our guests, and they’ve all be very supportive during these difficult times. It’s great to see that we can still offer people a service, especially those who are in a vulnerable situation and are struggling to find simple things like toilet roll in our local shops. I am so pleased that I can offer this support and in return continue to pay the team.”
A Coventry fitness and wellness expert has vowed to carry on training his members despite having to suspend sessions at his independent studio in the city.
Sam Opie had already decided to temporarily close Amity Fitness in St Nicholas Street, Radford, before Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s blanket ban on gyms across the UK was announced on Friday (Mar 20).
But the Coventry University graduate insists he won’t let the escalating coronavirus outbreak disrupt his clients and will now run his fitness, health, and wellness programmes online.
He’s even allowing members to take home any equipment they need from the gym as he aims to
deliver 99% of the same exercises and routines as he does at the studio.
Opie said: “I am both nervous and excited to roll out all of our programmes ONLINE with
sessions being run LIVE via video link instead.
“I am truly confident that we can deliver 99% of the same exercises and Amity methods that you keep coming back for, without you now having to leave your home.
“The timetable we have at the studio will be slightly adjusted, but I will make sure you have enough options and flexibility to train with us just as much, if not more than you did at the studio.”
