Where to begin? Perhaps by saying that the purpose of this post is to offer reassurance to all of our customers, whilst also thanking you for helping us stay safe!
As most of you will know by now we are open for Takeaways during this lockdown. You may be wondering why, when we were closed for so long last March/April.
The answer is quite simple – when we were asked to close for the first lockdown we simply closed the doors, pulled down the shutters, and gave away much of the food and drink we had in stock.
It took a couple of months for us to work out what to do next. As the government funding ran out we knew we would have to reopen or go out of business. So we built Perspex screens around the counter, purchased a refrigerated display and pre-portioned and wrapped all our cakes. We sourced presentation boxes for our Afternoon Tea and offered it as a takeaway, we introduced posh picnic lunches as well as our popular meal deals, and we stocked up on Craft Beer from local breweries who had lost their sales to the now closed pubs.
Since that initial reopening we have closed and opened with new guidance and regulations several times over. Our takeaway business has grown, you can order many of our products online, and we’ve worked out a way of posting some of our treats to bring a smile to someone you haven’t seen for a while maybe!
As I write this post the pandemic numbers are very worrying, we are being urged to heed the advice to stay at home, and only to leave the house for exercise and essential reasons. Photos have been posted on social media of coffee shops crammed with customers queuing at the counter and inevitably some have called for them to be closed.
So what is our response to this?
We have always said that the safety of our customers and the team here is our number one priority and nothing has changed. As such, we have the Perspex screens in place, no cash payments, cakes pre-packaged, touch points and all surfaces sanitised regularly and constant hand washing. The team works shifts to reduce staff contact, we stay apart from each other, and wear face coverings when required.
Customers are required to wear a face covering, make use of the hand sanitiser on entering the shop, and keep to the one way system. We ask you please to stay two metres from each other. This means that if someone is at the counter we ask you stay just inside the door. If someone is already there please wait outside. If you are waiting for something to be prepared you may be asked to wait outside again or to move to the other side of the premises. At all times keeping two metres away. Please only speak to the staff through the Perspex screen unless you are collecting a celebration cake when someone will come out to you – wearing a face covering.
With all these precautions in place we believe we can safely serve you coffee, cake, lunch, or any of the treats and gift boxes currently on sale. In addition we have set up a series of online order forms so that you can preorder, pay over the phone and collect quickly and conveniently at a time that suits you.
When shopping with us please remember all the government guidelines and legislation. Meeting one other person from outside your household is permitted for exercise but you must stay two metres apart. Children under five are not counted. Stopping to eat and drink is not allowed so keep moving and get those steps up!
If you are purchasing a cake or Afternoon Tea to enjoy at home then we appreciate you can only enjoy this with your household or support bubble, so ask us about smaller, simpler cakes or perhaps cupcakes. Or fill out a form here.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has been and continues to be affected by this virus. We continue to support Project Wingman at Stanmore Hospital, as well as staff well being lounges at other hospitals and the Kings Langley hub collecting for Ambulance and Paramedic staff.
We are here to serve you and would love to hear from you with any ideas or suggestions. Meanwhile stay safe, take care, and we hope to see you soon.
Love and best wishes from us all.
Team Kitchen x