Rice, Naan & Paperdoms

Local businesses…you rock! When things get tough here in VE territory, our local businesses don’t roll over and admit defeat… They fight back.

We’ve been in touch with some of our advertisers who are facing the current unprecedented challenges by diversifying their offerings in a rather entrepreneurial way!

It all started when Burghfield Spices posted their Special March Promotion of a FREE TOILET ROLL with every takeaway & delivery over £35 on their facebook page at some pint in early March - BEFORE LOCKDOWN. Yes it was a little bit of light-hearted humour, but also a polite way of reminding customers that they deliver to the whole area. It was just the kind of jovial post people needed to see - they loved the picture and shared, and shared and shared…and at the time of print, reaching over 75,000 people and making Burghfield Spices a little busier than usual, I think it’s fair to say! Let’s hope it continues for them. Lots of pubs and restaurants in the area are offering food deliveries or ramping up their takeaway business. Burghfield Spices have now increased their offering and boast the largest delivery menu in Berkshire - well done Buddy! La Capanna in Brimpton are focussing on the pizza delivery side of their business too, so brilliant if you're after a traditional pizza!

A great support for the local community. Suzi & Jane Catering in Silchester are offering deliveries of individual or family meals, soups, savouries and whole cakes. There is no minimum order value and local delivery is free.

La Baguetterie in Theale are offering free lunch deliveries to those in Theale. Just phone or email (food@ labaguetterie.co.uk) to order your baguettes, wraps and salads before 10.30 – the menu can be found online – and pay by card. They will deliver to you over lunchtime.

Debbie Johnson who runs the Café at St Michaels Church in Spencers Wood is planning to make up meals from their freezers, to ease the load on supermarkets while she can, and has some volunteer drivers to get those meals out to customers while the café is closed. Initially, this was planned for their regulars who they know will be selfisolating, but Debbie will be offering meals out to anyone locally who needs it, where she can.

Do remember that most pubs and restaurants are following government guidelines and only accepting card payments at present. They are also stressing that they are happy to leave deliveries on doorsteps if required.

Let’s share the love and get ordering. A nice perk if you’re not in self-isolation and perhaps a necessity if you are. Thank you to you all.

As you will see throughout this magazine, we are encouraging as many of you as possible to like our facebook page, as this is where we’ll be sharing updates about services which are available to help. It may also be helpful to look at the facebook pages of the

Burghfield Spices /BurghfieldSpices 0118 983 4040

La Capanna, Brimpton / La Capanna Italian 0118 981 0184 www.francospizzadelivery.co.uk

Susie & Jane Catering 0118 982 0539 tasty@suziandjanecatering.co.uk

La Baguetterie, Theale 0118 9302444 www.labaguetterie.co.uk

Debbie Johnson Catering 07773 947836 debbiejohnson500@hotmail.com