So Friday saw the British government close all bars, restaurants, clubs and theatres – effectively shutting up shop for the majority of the country’s independent operators to stop the spread of the virus.
Even with 80% of wages being paid for, independents still need help – and here’s how you can do it (from the comfort of your own home of course)…
Shop Local
Shops are still open. We all still need to buy the essentials and as a result most supermarkets, corner shops and takeaways are still open for business.
As long as you adhere to the strict social distancing guidelines you can still go out and get the essentials. If you don’t want to go out, many local and independent shops are also offering home delivery services that are vital for many people.
Get a delivery
The geezer who owns Deliveroo must be rubbing his hands together on this one. Basically, offering up a delivery service for people in self-isolation is one of the only things that most bars and restaurants can do – and it may even be their only lifeline during this difficult period.
So, get ordering as much as your little tummy can take – they’ve even added a new option when the delivery person just leaves it on your doorstep – meaning you don’t need to be in contact with anyone throughout the whole process.
The Best Food & Drink Delivery Options in Manchester
Support the self employed
Under the new initiative, employees will receive 80% of their wages off the government, providing much-needed economic relief for the thousands of businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. But what about people who are self employed?
Well, basically, they’re a bit buggered. Unless they go and sign on they don’t really have any support, so now’s the time to help out your local creatives in any way that you can. So visit artist’s online shops, buy some art and help in any way that you can.
Panic buy (gift vouchers)
Some people are completely mad – buying 100 rolls of toilet paper because some idiot in the Daily Mail said that we might run out. We won’t. And if we do – just use said newspaper instead – that’s about all it’s useful for anyway.
There are two times to panic buy though – and first of all it’s right now – and it’s gift vouchers. Many local and independent venues currently offer up gift vouchers for their services – so go out and buy, buy, buy to keep ’em going through these dark times.
The other? When all this is over. In a few weeks it’ll all be done and dusted and you’ll be like ‘what was all that about’ and that’s when you’ll know it’s time to go out and spend, spend, spend. Help your local independent businesses by getting them back on track. They’ll be ever so happy to see you and after a couple of weeks of just eating rice and gravy – it’s going to be good to be back.
Good luck out there everyone!
