Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

Doncaster headquartered mechanical and engineering firm, MechFS, has been providing hot meals to Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s NHS staff from Monday 20 April.

The family-run firm, based in Beckingham, organised and funded a food truck to feed frontline NHS staff based at DRI for three weeks as they work through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chef Tom Bracha of Yellow Bus Catering, a minimal pre-prep team based in Armthorpe and a small rota of MechFS employees are providing NHS staff with much-needed meals.

All food is pre-prepared in Armthorpe, transported in MechFS’ single occupancy vans to the DRI and served daily.

Natalie Sutherland, director of MechFS, said: “Myself and the MechFS team are humbled and inspired by the dedication and bravery demonstrated by all of those working within the NHS at this very difficult time.

“We want to show our support by providing doctors, nurses, cleaners, porters and anyone working at DRI with a hot meal, free of charge, during their shifts.

“We have provided everyone involved with the necessary PPE and have instigated a socially distanced operating system to ensure everyone’s safety.

“We are immensely grateful to our local NHS heroes and are keen to support them in any way we can.”

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A North Leeds business group has stepped in to provide valuable local support during the outbreak.

Leeds Network Central BNI group has provided 500 medical face masks to the team at Harrogate Neighbours, which provides personal care to elderly people at two Harrogate care sites, and across the community.

BNI spokesman Andrew Firth said: “As a business group we have a close relationship with Harrogate Neighbours and wanted to help during this difficult time.

“One of our members, Paul Smith, sources merchandise on a global basis, and was able to secure a batch of high quality masks.

“He kindly provided the masks at cost price and we used our Members’ Fund to pay for these important resources for Harrogate Neighbours.”

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said: “As a not for profit charity, we are hugely grateful for the kind donation of 500 masks from BNI Leeds Network Central.

“This personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital for the work we do in caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Leeds Network Central BNI has also donated £500 to Leeds North and West Food Bank.

Firth said: “Our business group usually meets weekly in North Leeds, though our meetings are currently running online because of social distancing.

“We donated the money normally used to cover our meeting fees to put to this great cause.

“Our donation is designed to support the valuable work done by the Food Bank team at nine locations across Leeds. Their work is always important, but particularly in the current crisis, and we are very pleased to be able to support this vital project.”

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North Yorkshire’s Black Sheep Brewery is experiencing the biggest period of sales ever from its online shop as customers across the country turn to the internet for their beer orders during the Coronavirus emergency.

The Masham-based brewery has seen an influx of nationwide orders, as drinkers adhere to the ‘stay at home’ advice from the Government and explore new ways of buying beer.

Black Sheep says it has has seen an increase of more than 1,500% in online sales since pubs closed on 23 March, compared to the same period last year.

Working with its distribution partners, Black Sheep is ensuring strict social distancing and health guidelines are followed for each delivery as well as for its team preparing orders at the brewery.

In the past month the brewery has been receiving orders from Edinburgh to Cornwall for its range of bottled and canned beers, as well as its Black Sheep Yorkshire Dry Gin.

Black Sheep is also seeing a surge in hamper orders, as people send memorable gifts to loved ones from a distance.

Charlene Lyons, chief executive of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “With the country staying at home as much as possible we’re seeing levels of online orders that we’ve never seen before, not even during the festive season which is typically the busiest time of year for our online shop.

“Our team has worked incredibly hard to ensure we can meet these orders working to the strict health guidance and social distancing rules.

“We’re really pleased to offer a taste of Yorkshire to people across the country in this difficult time and we want to thank our loyal customers for supporting our business.”

The brewery is continuing to offer local drink and food deliveries, within a 15-mile radius of its Visitor Centre at Masham.