Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

The Wensleydale Creamery, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, has reported record figures for its online mail service, with daily website sales higher than monthly sales in the same period last year.

The increase in mail order sales comes as a result of innovation to the Wensleydale Creamery’s online offering.

It involves the launch of an Online Deli and reduced delivery prices for customers ordering their favourite artisan cheeses, local produce and gifts delivered direct to their door during lockdown.

The producers of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese reacted quickly to the temporary closure of its Visitor Centre, which attracts 350,000 visitors to Hawes every year, by bringing its offering online to create a new Online Deli.

And they say the website shop has proved successful, with monthly sales figures up to 30 times higher than the same period last year.

As well as cheese, the Online Deli also features a large selection of local produce from crackers, chutneys and oils to biscuits, sweets, chocolate and fruitcake.

Trish Cannon, Visitor Centre director at the Wensleydale Creamery, said: “Throughout lockdown, we made it our aim to ensure all our customers could get access to their favourite artisan cheese and locally sourced produce direct to their homes.

“We always planned to expand the Mail Order offering, and the situation sped up our plans and investment, leading to the creation of the Online Deli.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response, and the sales figures speak for themselves.

“We have proven that by listening to the needs of our customers and being innovative and willing to adapt to market conditions, a business can thrive even in demanding conditions.

“The Online Deli has also allowed us to reach new range of customers and the response has been phenomenal.

“We are looking to continue to expand the Online Deli offering, adding new ranges, produce and limited editions on an ongoing basis.”

The Visitor Centre Gift Shop has now reopened at the Creamery in Hawes, with social distancing measures in force. A plan is in place for a full re-opening of the Visitor Centre this week.

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Credit: Richard Walker/ImageNorth

A major campaign to boost public confidence and back businesses across Wakefield has been launched as the district’s hospitality sector comes to life.

With a key theme of ‘Enjoy It. Safely Does It’, the campaign rolled out from Monday July 6, led by Wakefield Council and paid for by the Government’s European funding pot.

The aim is to promote visits to the district’s hospitality and personal care sector – covering pubs, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers and more – while encouraging everyone to do it in a safe way.

An outdoor advertising campaign including posters and big screen adverts will run alongside a social media campaign plus direct to business communications to reach thousands across Wakefield.

It is underpinned by a new business restart pack produced by Wakefield Council, which pulls together the Government’s key rules for reopening as well as checklists for cleaning and social distancing.

Councillor Denise Jeffrey, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We are determined to do everything we can as a council to back our businesses during these unprecedented times.

“I personally can’t wait to have my hair done and have a meal cooked by a restaurant rather than at home and I’m sure many others feel the same.

“We have an incredible mix of attractive businesses across the district when it comes to hospitality and personal care from superb places to eat to award-winning hairdressers.

“So we want to help those businesses by encouraging the public to start venturing out and using them, safely.

“We need to support businesses to reopen responsibly, so it’s all about safely doing so. By following the guidance and acting responsibly we can all enjoy what we have on our doorstep.

“We all need to stay alert, keep our hands clean and follow social distancing guidance. By doing so we can begin to move back towards something that feels more normal – and fun – and at the same time get our businesses back up and running.”

Cllr Darren Byford, cabinet member for Economic Growth and Regeneration, added: “By developing the business restart pack, we’ve tried to condense all the Government guidance that any given hospitality or personal care business will need and roll it into one easy to read document.

“It’s been tailored to the needs of Wakefield district businesses so they can get up and running rather than being held back by unknowns or uncertainty.

“The public can also rest assured that by doing this, we’ve been clear on businesses’ responsibility to safely reopening and we’ll support any businesses that needs advice.

“As a last resort we could take enforcement action against businesses that are refusing to fulfil their responsibilities, but I’m certain those worst case scenarios will be few and far between.”

The Council-led campaign has been backed by the European Regional Development Fund alongside the UK Government.

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A host of independent food and drink operators at The Merrion Centre in Leeds Arena Quarter reopened for business on 4 July.

Coinciding with the national ‘Independents Day’, which celebrates independent retailers, over half of the Merrion estate’s restaurants, bars and cafes resumed trading in line with Government guidance.

With more businesses to follow in subsequent weeks, popular venues including Korean barbecue Bulgogi Grill, sushi and Asian grill operator Blue Sakura, Ethiopian coffee specialist Konga Coffee and Japanese Fuji Hiro are joining Thai street food restaurant My Thai and flagship Indian restaurant, Bengal Brasserie in opening.

New occupier Frankster’s, will also open this week on Merrion Street and both Greggs stores are now open.

All operators given the Government green light to reopen have taken steps to provide a virus free environment to welcome back customers and shoppers.

Bulgogi Grill has installed toughened glass between dining booths to ensure its diners feel safe and at ease and is set to launch its app for ordering and payments ready for opening.

The Merrion Centre remained open for shopping during lockdown, with essential stores including Morrisons, Iceland, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett continuing to trade throughout.

Helen Green, property director at the centre’s owner – Town Centre Securities – said: “We have always had a fantastic, and innovative independent food and beverage sector at Leeds Merrion Centre.

“Throughout the lockdown they have been brilliant at adapting their offers, undertaking deliveries, serving local visitors and key workers and we are delighted that they can now resume inviting guests and customers into a safe environment.

“I would like to pay tribute to their impressive hard work and would urge customers from near and far to come and try some of the best food in Leeds.”