Welcome to Rise & Shine
We hope you’re all staying safe and well. Let us know any positive changes or local initiatives your business is introducing to get through the pandemic lockdown. We can then share your good news with 15,000 fellow subscribers in the South West hospitality industry.
Please contact our News Editor, Carolyn Moss, at news@breadandbutter.media or call her on 01305 575155. Follow us on Twitter @BreadButterNews for updates.
We will do everything we can to help your business.
Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Cornish country manor hotel sold
The 18th-century Boscundle Manor country house hotel in Cornwall has been sold off a guide price of nearly £1.3million by Colliers International.
Grade II listed and located near the Eden Project, it has been operating as a hotel for more than 30 years and features 13 en-suite rooms, an indoor swimming pool, plus bar and lounge areas. The new owners are husband and wife team, Jason Jones and Louise Uys-Jones.
Ed Jefferson from the hotels team at Colliers International said: “Boscundle Manor is a high quality, Grade II-listed hotel with an elegant frontage which certainly doesn’t disappoint on arrival. Set in tranquil grounds with a peaceful feel, it makes for a relaxed visiting experience and yet remains highly accessible for visiting all that Cornwall has to offer.
“Although the sale process was put into the hands of a fixed charge receiver early in 2019, this situation was subsequently reversed, allowing the sale to proceed in the hands of our vendor clients as a transfer of a going concern.”
Jason Jones, the new owner, added: “This has been a long-held desire for Louise and I, and it’s a chance to add our experience and passion into a small boutique hotel that has real character. We will evolve the property over the coming year to make what we hope is a place we would like to stay in, with a focus on guest comfort with a small hotel feel and service standards to match.
Lyme Bay create two wines for Aldi
Lyme Bay Winery is making two further English wines for Aldi’s exclusive label range. Lyme Block Dry White and Lyme Block Rosé are part of the ‘Specially Selected’ line and are available in stores now.
The two wines are the latest additions to the Lyme Block range of English wines that the Devon-based producer makes for Aldi. Last year’s Lyme Block Sparkling Brut Reserve was the first own-label English Sparkling Wine to be recognised as part of Aldi’s premium offer.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “Given the success of our three English additions to Aldi’s wine range last year, it’s a pleasure to be working with Lyme Bay Winery once again to showcase our continued support of British produce across all ranges. Adding two more wines to our shelves is testament to the success of the wines to date, and to the increasing appetite for English wines.”
James Lambert, managing director at LBW Drinks commented: “We are delighted at the success of these wines and to be continuing to expand our range with Aldi, a brand renowned for offering value and excellence when it comes to wine. To be bringing English wine – particularly still styles – to a greater number of people is a real privilege for us.”
Rockfish “pressing pause”
The Rockfish restaurant group closed their sites on 20th March, paid staff all their wages for the month and are preserving jobs at Rockfish and The Seahorse through the government job retention scheme. In an official statement, they said they are “preparing to press pause, or ‘mothball’ our restaurants until the environment has changed and we can be in a position to press ‘play’ and be ready to thrive again.”
Directors and senior staff at the South West group have taken temporary pay cuts. The statement goes on to say: “We are doing all that we can to ensure Rockfish and the Seahorse survive this and are ready to bounce back at the first opportunity. Our wider ‘eco-system’ is also vitally important to us, this includes our loyal suppliers, shareholders & landlords, who we are in conversation with, planning how we can navigate this together so we can survive and emerge as thriving local businesses in our communities.”
South West Tourism Awards go Zoom
The South West Tourism Awards are running Corona Workshops on video conferencing platform, Zoom. During the current crisis, they will be held each Tuesday from 11am to 12.30pm.
The workshops will include tips on handling the virus as well as tourism excellence. Limited to 20 people per session, they are open to tourism businesses across the South West and South East.
Full details and booking links are at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-tourism-awards-workshop-tickets-101803683558 for April 14th and www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-tourism-awards-workshop-tickets-102171389376 for April 21st. Visit www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk/workshops for more details.
Coronavirus guidelines for food delivery
Food health and safety consultant Karen Meadows, director of Safety in Action Ltd, has produced a free guide to running food delivery services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Karen, she is also a director of regional food and drink quality marques Cotswold Taste Ltd and Worcestershire Food and Drink CIC, said that many of her clients are currently adapting to running take away and delivery services. “These offer different challenges and areas have to be considered that might not have been previously,” Karen says. “The guidance on this has been changing fast over recent days and it is vital to stay up-to-date.”
See the advice on her blog at www.safetyinaction.co.uk/coronavirus-advice-relating-to-deliveries. Contact her by calling 07786 622741 or emailing karen.meadows@safetyinaction.co.uk to get a copy of the guide.
South WEST INITIATIVES
Baboo Gelato
Dorset ice cream supremos Baboo Gelato are now offering local delivery to West Dorset postcodes DT6, DT7 and DT8.
Flavours available include Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Double Chocolate, Strawberry, Hazelnut, Rum and Raisin, Blackcurrant Ripple, Maple & Walnut, Mint Choc Chip, Passionfruit Sorbet, Lemon Sorbet, Orange Sorbet, and Blackcurrant Sorbet.
The minimum order size is 4 x 500ml tubs for £22.00, delivered. Or they also offer 12 x 125ml tubs (single portion) for £15.00.
To order email info@baboogelato.com with your phone number and order.
Balsbury Grocer
This new shop, café and bakery in the village of Baltonsborough, near Glastonbury has transformed itself into a takeaway and grocery delivery service. Due to open on the 1st April, owner Naomi Giaretta said they have “turned on a penny to make the food grocery a ‘collect from doorstep’ service”. Situated in a large rural village with approx. 1500 people and no other services, they have recruited over 40 volunteers to help them make deliveries. They now plan to add freshly baked bread and cakes to their deliveries and make their deli offering suitable for takeaway. “We’re planning some simple things for those people not feeling too well, and some more exotic for those who are getting bored of pasta for supper every night.” said Naomi, adding “I know many other businesses are facing the same challenges but trying to open from scratch (rather than redirect an existing business) is particularly tough.”
Contact naomi@balsburygrocer.co.uk.
Colwith Farm Distillery
Colwith Farm Distillery near Lostwithiel in Cornwall has fast-tracked negotiations with HMRC to produce and distribute duty exempt, World Health Organisation (WHO)-grade hand sanitiser.
“Colwith Farm Distillery is the only distillery in the South West capable of producing the 96% ethanol required to make a 75% sanitiser from scratch,” explains owner Steve Dustow.
“With the help of HMRC we have managed to fast track a licence that would normally take 45 working days in under a week. There have been a number of challenges including sourcing the most cost-effective and appropriate bottles. In order to keep up with demand and sidestep price hikes in the supply chain we have started fermenting black molasses this week. We are pleased to be able to react quickly in this challenging time and provide a product that can help protect the NHS and potentially save lives.”
The distillery is supplying the NHS and many key worker businesses with the product. Steve is particularly keen to hear from NHS Trusts, councils and police forces to ensure the hand sanitiser is reaching those most in need.
The 100ml bottles of WHO 75% Handrub solution are available from the Colwith Farm Box Shop at Lanlivery and online at www.colwithfarmdistillery.co.uk. Bulk orders can be secured by emailing the distillery direct on info@colwithfarmdistillery.co.uk
Exmoor Distillery
Exmoor Distillery is offering free delivery across the UK of their Northmoor Classic Gin and Northmoor Navy Gin. There is no minimum order value. They are also planning to produce hand sanitiser soon. Visit their webshop at www.exmoordistillery.co.uk.
Great Cornish Food Store
A fully independent grocery shop “dedicated to the sale of local produce” and located next to Waitrose in Truro, the Great Cornish Food Store has moved to a temporary new business model of order collections and local home deliveries.
New operating times will be Monday to Saturday 8am – 4pm, with Sundays reserved as a rest and restocking day. Collections can be picked up from the store from 9am, and home deliveries will be made on an area by area basis, most likely on allocated days of the week.
“It’s been quite a week, gauging how best to protect the livelihoods of those that work for the store, and of course our fantastic Cornish suppliers, whilst keeping our loyal customers fed. We’re determined to continue to play our part in the community and work hard to help everyone get through this crisis,” says store owner, Ruth Huxley. “My team has been absolutely fantastic during this very uncertain week, whilst the response from customers and suppliers to our delivery and collection services has been heart-warming to say the least. Our order telephone line has been red hot since Monday, with volumes growing every day. This is why we have decided to redeploy as many of our staff as possible into new roles so that we can streamline our operations and use the resource where it’s needed most.”
Orders can be taken over the telephone by calling the dedicated order line 01872 306063 or order forms can be downloaded from the website greatcornishfood.co.uk and emailed to store@greatcornishfood.co.uk. Delivery charges will be a standard £5 on orders of more than £30 (minimum), free on orders of more than £100. Those who are fit, well and able are encouraged to opt for Order Collections which will allow the store to focus on home deliveries for those who are unable to leave their homes.
Isle of Wight Distillery
The Isle of Wight Distillery team is producing Wight Wash, a hand sanitiser made to WHO-recommended formula for locals who need it.
Priority is being given to key workers and organisations like schools, residential homes and hospices. But Wight Wash is now also available to the general public from outlets around the island.
Creator of the distillery’s signature spirit Mermaid Gin, Xavier Baker, said: “We’re seeing many Island businesses responding to the crisis with generosity, ingenuity and community spirit. We hope to be of service to our local community at this challenging time”.
For more details of Wight Wash sanitiser and home delivery of their range of spirits go to isleofwightdistillery.com/range.
Powderkeg Beer
The award-winning Devon brewer has launched a beer home-delivery service to “help ease your way through the lockdown”. Its “Transatlantic Pale” Speak Easy, classic German pilsner Cut Loose, and Green Light, a low-alcohol “Quarter IPA” are available in cases of 12 cans (Green Light £22, Cut Loose and Speak Easy £24). They are also releasing Common Ground, an IPA “in the classic British style” in 750ml bottles “in case you need a bigger drink”.
Delivery is free for orders over £15 to the following postcodes: EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX5, EX8 or EX9. Further afield, a normal mail order service is available with up to 6 cases for £7.99.
Powderkeg co-founder Jess Magill said: “The current threat to local breweries, pubs and other small businesses is unprecedented. In many cases, sales have dropped to near zero overnight and times are going to be incredibly tough for the businesses, their employees and families. Where you are able to and where you can afford, please support local businesses like Powderkeg during these challenging times.”
For more details and to order, go to www.powderkegbeer.co.uk.
St Austell Brewery
St Austell Brewery has launched an order and collect service in five of its depots and distributions centres across the South West. The sites in St Columb, Heathfield, Ilfracombe, Avonmouth and Wimborne will now be collection points for the public to pick up St Austell beer and wine.
There will be a variety of St Austell Brewery and Bath Ales beers to choose from plus St Austell Wines as well as spirits, mixers and soft drinks.
To order drinks over the phone, customers can call 03452 411 122 from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4.30pm. Once ordered, beers and wines can be collected from the five depots on weekdays between 9am and 2pm.
Andrew Turner, managing director of St Austell Brewery’s beers and brands said: “This new service will enable people in the local area to buy a selection of wines as well as their favourite St Austell beers direct from our depots for the first time. While pubs are closed, enabling the general public to buy and collect direct from our distribution centres will provide a useful facility during these difficult times and help take some pressure off supermarkets.”
To find out more about the service, and view the beers and wines available to order, visit www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/collect. To make an order contact St Austell Brewery’s sales team on 03452 411 122 or email them at sales@staustellbrewery.co.uk.
Tarquin’s Gin
Tarquin’s Gin, based near Padstow in Cornwall, is making sanitiser and supplying it free to front-line workers. The first 100 litres have gone to the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation.
Made to a World Health Organisation-approved recipe and infused with Tarquin’s signature gin botanical essences – juniper and orange – it is designed to “lift the spirits of those most in need”.
Tarquin Leadbetter, founder and master distiller added: “We’re all in this together and if we can help our local community in this struggle, then that’s absolutely fantastic. My older brother is an NHS doctor and I’m so proud to be able to support the incredible job they are doing, in our own small way”.
Tarquin’s hand sanitiser will soon be available via the website: www.tarquinsgin.com/shop/.
Wrecking Coast Distillery
The premium spirits producer Wrecking Coast Distillery has opened a new online shop with free delivery across the UK.
Customers can get their spirits including Clotted Cream Gin, Scurvy Gin Navy Strength, Honey Sloe Gin Liqueur, Cornerstone Rare Cornish Gin, Heli-Gin and Kea Plum Rum Liqueur directly from their base in Tintagel, Cornwall.
Visit their website and shop at www.thewreckingcoastdistillery.com to order and see serving suggestions and cocktail recipes.
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Granny Gothards
Acclaimed artisan ice cream maker Granny Gothards sells ice cream making kits that are perfect for homeschooling timetables as well as securing your supply of delicious dessert options through the lockdown. You don’t need any special equipment and they are available from Not on the High Street www.notonthehighstreet.com/grannygothards and Borough Box www.boroughbox.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=granny%2520gothards.
Hog & Hedge
Based in Devon at Whiddon Down services on the A30, Hog & Hedge is a speciality coffee shop and fresh food kitchen. They are now offering their speciality coffee for sale online with free delivery. Their beans come from Brazil are roasted by Bristol’s Clifton Coffee Roasters. The coffee is available in 200g packs, either as whole coffee beans for grinding at home or ground to order. You can order online at www.hogandhedge.co.uk/shop.