Small businesses in South Warwickshire unite amid coronavirus outbreak

A group of small business owners in South Warwickshire have joined forces amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Winchcombe Farm glamping retreat in Upper Tysoe, has risen to the challenge of surviving the economic impact of the outbreak by inviting other neighbouring businesses to work together.

Owners Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor have teamed up with five other small businesses who will now offer a delivery service directly to the doors of their four holiday lodges – from hot meals to artisan gin.

Jo said: “Due to our remote rural location, we remain open because the very nature of our business means you can stay in a tranquil private lodge or tree house amongst nature in an isolated location.

“Normally the only deliveries we receive are from the postman, but now other businesses like ourselves, are having to diversify to stay in business, and are offering delivery services”.

The couple are also working with the Pinnock Distillery in Kineton.

Dan Beckett, owner of the micro-distillery, said: “In what is undoubtedly the most challenging of times for small businesses, it is also heartening to see support and collaboration in action in this way and I am delighted to be working with Winchcombe Farm."

The pair have alsi teamed up with gastro pub The Peacock at Oxhill , which is now delivering meals directly to guests.

The local butcher – HC Lewis in Kineton, is geared up to make meat deliveries directly to guests and home-cooked frozen meals from Ofishial Foods are also available to pre-order.

Jo said: “This wonderful company is based just up the road from us in Shenington and have a dropped a couple of samples down for us to try so we can highly recommend them to guests.

"They will take orders and payment over the phone and then deliver your meals to us in time for your arrival. We’ll pop them in the freezer for you so they’ll be ready and waiting for you.”

John Hartley, of Ofishial Foods, said: “We are delighted to supply a wide range of tasty ready meals to Winchcombe Farm Holidays guests. Our meals are hand made in our kitchen just up the hill and we are so local we could deliver them on foot.”

Tommy Hewitt, butcher at H.C Lewis Butchers based in Kineton said: “We sell a huge range of local reared meats, as well as eggs, savouries such as pies and deli treats.

"We introduced a delivery service in response to the recent situation and it’s proved such a huge hit with customers, we are looking into making it a permanent feature of our service."

Shipston-on-Stour baking company Sweet Heart Bakes, are also on hand to deliver homemade quiches, tarts and puddings when pre-ordered.

For more information go to: http://winchcombefarm.co.uk