Businesses “improvise” during lockdown

Tuesday 12 May 2020

From restaurants offering DIY gourmet dinners to a hotel delivering toilet roll and 'love kits', local businesses have been adapting in quirky and creative ways to keep trading during the health crisis.

Jersey has been under lockdown since the end of March and over that time, many local businesses have not been able to operate in their usual ways.

Now Jersey is starting to ease lockdown and businesses are beginning to reopen their doors, Express takes a look at some of the more creative approaches.. 

The ‘makeaway’ 

When getting a ‘bog-standard’ takeaway doesn’t feel special enough, some establishments have tried to give a bit of DIY flair to their to-go menu. 

To give that restaurant experience without leaving the comfort of your own home, places like No. 10 Bar & Restaurant and Wildfire have been offering deconstructed meals and cocktails to assemble yourself for an indulgent night in. 

'Number 10 at Home' has provided a three-course meal complete with handmade pasta, distributed by delivery service set up in direct response to the outbreak, Fetch.je.

Posting on social media about the offering, the eatery said: “The world has turned upside down, so like many we have had to improvise. In short, every week we will come up with a brand new three course menu with optional wine pairings... Think Number 10 quality in a home-style manner. Always interesting, delicious & vibrant using the best local produce.”

As well as catering for virtual dinner parties, cocktails, BBQ packs to cook out at home and DIY Fajitas, Wildfire also took to improvising, encouraging customers to create their own restaurant experience.

From virtual vinyasa... to valuations

Whether it’s conference calls or online quizzes, everyone has been relying more on their internet connection to socialise and conduct business. 

Many local PTs, fitness class hosts and even yogis have 'zoomed' towards video.

Estate agents are also among the professionals to have taken their expertise online.

Pictured: Instead of physically entering properties, some estate agents have offered valuations.

Broadlands Jersey were offering remote property valuations and offering to answer any questions clients have about increasing the value of their homes.

And now for something completely different...

Other businesses have taken more of an about-turn, offering completely new products to keep trading during lockdown.

Online takeaway hub Food.je has been inundated with new arrivals - among them, local luxury hotel, The Club Hotel and Spa.

Beyond selling a selection of treats from their restaurant, they're also offering to replenish toilet paper stocks for anyone confronted by empty supermarket shelves - offering islanders the opportunity to bulk buy as many as 40.

And they're also offering some other, more ‘X-rated’ items.

Pictured: The Club's 'fun extras' listed on Food.je.

Listed as ‘fun extras’, people can purchase different ‘kits’ including a sleep kit with pillow spray, an eye mask and ear plugs or, for over-18s, a ‘Love Kit’ including birth control and other toys for couples to enjoy during lockdown.