Coronavirus business update: Latest news across Yorkshire
The UK’s first manufacturer of type IIR surgical face masks, Bluetree Group, has taken delivery of England’s very first meltblown machines.
It means the business can create the vital bacterial filtration layer of the face masks, or ‘meltblown’, in house.
Installation of two of the machines at the company’s Rotherham factory will enable the team to produce 100 tonnes of meltblown each month and provide the country with a constant and reliable source of surgical face masks.
Following its move to manufacture face masks, Bluetree Group is undertaking a recruitment drive to fill 400 new roles.
12 of these jobs will be created as a direct result of the two new meltblown machines.
Meltblown is the middle layer of the surgical face mask which filters out harmful particles. This material is also an important component for the production of gowns and respirators.
As the COVID-19 outbreak has progressed, meltblown has become one of the scarcest materials in the world, with many countries banning its export.
Given that meltblown plays such an essential part of the manufacturing process of Bluetree Group’s masks, the company decided to bring the manufacturing of this material in-house.
Following an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in March for industry to help increase face mask production by 40%, the printing business diversified its manufacturing capabilities to help with the response to Covid-19 and keep the UK protected during the pandemic.
Bluetree Group offers a face mask subscription service where professionals, organisations and individuals can purchase type IIR surgical face masks.
Having secured contracts to supply face masks to the NHS and Daily Mail’s charity, Mail Force, Bluetree Group will, at peak capacity produce 1.7 million masks a day.
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A Pocklington farm shop, café and campsite has remodelled its business in response to the pandemic.
The family behind The Mile have invested in a new online shop and have removed its pre-school soft play area to create more space for its café and to showcase local artisan producers.
Jo Barnes owns the long established business with husband, Colin.
She said: “This year has been a challenging one, as it has for many small and family owned hospitality and retail businesses like ours.
“When restrictions on indoor soft play were introduced, we had a dilemma – do we wait to see if social distancing is going to be relaxed, or do we diversify?
“With the most recent escalation of the virus, we made the decision to act quickly to remove the play area to create extra space and a provide a safe environment for our customers to enjoy our home-made meals, snacks and bakes.
“We’ve had great feedback and we’re very grateful to our customers old and new.”
The latest move comes on the back of a significant investment in an online shop that evolved out of customer demand for food, drink and animal food supplies during lockdown.
The new website, created by Hull-based online retail specialists, Spark, features over 500 products, including many Yorkshire artisan food and drink products that are not available in supermarkets.
It also features an extensive range of animal feed and accessories in its Feed Barn section.
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Ilkley hospitality business, The Ticket Office says it has been adapting its products and services to fit the ever-changing rules and guidelines, to help keep the industry alive.
The venue which invested heavily in extra safety measures after re-opening in July, including thermal imaging temperature checking and regular fogging, has embraced the latest set of regulations by building a covering and adding heaters to its outside area.
The bar has managed to retain all its full-time employees. And it has been working with ‘La Stazione’ next door by sharing access to its outside space.
Liam Chantry, general manager, said: “It has been a real rollercoaster of a ride this year with circumstances changing all the time and I would be lying if I said it hadn’t been tough, but I am really proud of the team and the way they have remained positive and stepped up when it’s been needed most.
“We are also incredibly grateful for the support of our regular customers and our neighbouring businesses, there’s a great feeling of ‘being in it together’.
“The investment in the outside area will ensure we can continue to trade with mixed households up to six and provide food and drink, not only in safety but also in warmth.”
The venue is also about to launch its ‘Cocktails at Home’ package, where customers will be given the opportunity to make up the bars famous, signature cocktails at home.
Chantry added: “The cocktails at home package, ensures that those customers who don’t feel comfortable visiting the venue can still enjoy what we do best, in the comfort of their own home.
“Perhaps on a date night or via Zoom with friends! We will continue to adapt what we offer dependent upon what is thrown at us next, in order to save jobs and keep hospitality alive but we do ask local people to continue to support their local, independent businesses, to help us achieve this.”
