Lockdown motivates business to innovate

Owners of Gin and Beer It Bar and Kitchen in Whitehaven, Louise and David Pegram have decided to focus on their collection service until they decide it is safe to fully reopen at a later date.

During the pandemic, customers can book a slot for takeaway on Gin and Beer It’s range of pizzas, tacos, gins and craft beers.

Louise and David opened the restaurant at Market Place, Whitehaven in September 2018.

Under normal circumstances customers could have a sit down meal and relax in the lounge area with a drink.

The restaurant is set to resume normal service in August as the couple want to see the results of the Government’s phased relaxation of lockdown first.

Louise said: “A lot of our customers have said they’re not ready to go out yet.

"It’s a difficult choice to make but it is such a strange thing for everyone. The pubs are opening, it’s just seeing how that goes and watching others.”

The couple, who have a young son, feel that it is too soon to host sit-down meals again.

She said: “A lot of us are unsure, let’s just hold back and see. We’ve got a way of making money from our takeaway, if that works for now we’re happy.”

Restaurants and pubs reopened across the UK this past weekend with special measures enforced by the Government to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

Pub owners are being asked to cooperate with the NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace service, retaining details of customers. Bars can recommence trading as long as social distancing regulations can be followed and drinks can not be served over the bar.

In a post to their social media following, the couple said: "If you are planning on going out this weekend though, for the sake of all of us, please follow the rules."

Gin and Beer It’s bottle shop and takeaway meals, which were brought in to continue the business through lockdown, have proven to be a success.

Louise said: “The takeaways are still going really well for us. It’s helped us reach lots more people.

“It is reaching people that don’t go out for a meal normally. They can have a nice meal at home with a few drinks.”

Adapting to the coronavirus lockdown has worked out for the best as the delivery service may continue when the restaurant reopens.

She said: “It’s going really well. We’re thinking on a Tuesday or Sunday, we could have one night just for takeaways.”

It has been a busy time for the couple who also welcomed their new addition Henry one week before lockdown. Louise added that the couple have used the busy time as “motivation” to come back stronger as they are also hoping to improve the business when it returns in August.

“We’re having a rebrand and improving the menu. I’ve talked to a lot of people about it.

“Before we closed we were fully booked for meals, it’s moved on from being just a bar, it’s not all just about coming and having a drink.

However, Louise added that the restaurant and bar will still have the same atmosphere.

She said: “It’s still very relaxed, it’s a mixture of tables and sofas, we have people in for five or six hours chatting after their meal.”

Until the restaurant reopens in August, Louise and David will be preparing takeaway meals and light bites for collection from the restaurant.

Gin and Beer It are running Taco Tuesdays which has proven to be popular with Louise hard at work in the kitchen.

"That's keeping us busy" she said.

The restaurant also offers date night kits so that customers can make their own pizzas and create their perfect night without leaving lockdown.

A range of gins and craft beers can also be purchased to takeaway. Collections are pre-booked at staggered timings to avoid queues outside. For details on the food and drinks available and to book a collection, visit the Gin and Beer It Bar and Kitchen Facebook page.

Newsquest titles are backing local and family run businesses in their area. We want to hear about businesses in Cumbria who are going the extra mile for their customers. Email news.wn@cnmedia.co.uk or message us on Facebook.