Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

Two family-run Harrogate district drinks companies joined forces to create and deliver 25 litres of alcohol-based hand sanitiser to Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust.

Nidderdale-based Whittaker’s Gin collaborated with award-winning Harrogate brewery, Rooster’s, to produce clinical-standard hand sanitiser, which will be used by the local NHS to protect staff and patients and combat the spread of COVID-19.

The partnership, which was the brainchild of Whittaker’s co-founder Toby Whittaker, saw Rooster’s provide the gin maker with 2,000 litres of surplus beer, which would otherwise have gone to waste following the Coronavirus lockdown of pubs and bars.

Toby Whittaker

Using their new 1,000-litre still at its Dacre Banks distillery, Whittaker’s extracted the ethanol contained within the beer and used it to create 25 litres of hand sanitiser.

Toby Whittaker said: “We have the facility and licence to distil from scratch, so I thought we could team up with Rooster’s and use their surplus beer to produce a useful product, free of charge to help our local NHS.

“Their incredible efforts are helping to save many, many lives and we’re proud to be able to support them at such an important time.”

Ian Fozard, director at Rooster’s brewery, said: “When Toby approached us it became clear this was an obvious way for us to help – we are sat on a large quantity of beer in cask that would otherwise have to be disposed of down the drain.

“It’s gratifying that it is going to good use in the NHS in these difficult times.”

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Online value retailer Approved Food teamed up with fellow businesses to provide essential supplies for food banks across Yorkshire.

The impact of Coronavirus on food bank usage has been huge, with a surge in demand for essentials.

The Trussell Trust, the country’s biggest food bank network, reported its busiest ever period after lockdown was introduced, when 50,000 food parcels were handed out in the space of just one week – almost double its regular volume.

Meanwhile, donations nationally have fallen and volunteers – many of whom are elderly – are forced to self-isolate.

Barnsley-based Approved Food joined Confex Ltd and Friesland Campina to distribute pallets filled with supplies for charities in South and West Yorkshire.

More than 11,000 bottles of Yazoo flavoured milk were donated by manufacturer Friesland Campina through Confex, a national buying group. Added to the pallets were 2,500 toilet rolls, donated by Approved Food.

Approved Food MD Andy Needham said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on all our lives but the most vulnerable in our society are among those who have been hardest hit.

“More families than ever have had to turn to food banks or face going hungry – and if food banks run short of supplies, this could spell disaster for families who are struggling.

“We were only too happy to team up with Confex and Friesland Campina to replenish the shelves of food banks in five Yorkshire towns.

“Special mention must also go to Core FM, Abdul’s Restaurant in Wakefield, City Growth in Sheffield, Hirsche Automotive and Barnsley Enterprise, who all played a part in the donations reaching those who need it most.”

The donations will go to Fareshare in Barnsley; St Catherine’s Church Centre, Wakefield; the food hub of Inn Churches, Bradford; Batley Food Bank; and Sheffield’s Food Works.

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