We have received the following from the Bodiam Boating Station and Lime Wharf Cafe:
“We are in the middle of a crisis that no one in the world has experienced before. It is a fast evolving and dynamic situation, with ever changing advice and protocol and is likely to prove a difficult time for us all.
Your support is vital to our survival during this unprecedented situation. As you know, we have worked tirelessly to create and grow these businesses into what they are today. Most of our full time staff have been with us for years and we are desperate not to let them go, or the business fail.
Yesterday the government advised people not to go to restaurants, but haven’t officially closed us down. Given our rural location, spaciousness and outside seating, we can offer some social distancing and are therefore committed to staying open until we are told otherwise.
TESTING OUT TAKEAWAYS
We are formalising plans to offer TAKEAWAY meals for you to heat up at home, so please call (01797 253838) to register your interest. Menus and details to follow in next couple of days.
We are hopeful that we will also be able to deliver food to those who are unable to get out themselves, so watch this space. These meals will come with a comprehensive list of ingredients and allergens as well as cooking instructions.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
If you’d like to support us but don’t know how, one idea that a friend suggested was to buy “VOUCHERS” from us – available by phone or on the Bodiam Boating Station website – which can be used for food, boat hire, camping and river cruises in the future months, should we be closed down for a period.
We are awaiting further advice from the government before declaring our position on boat hire and camping, so please be patient and we will be in touch as soon as we know more.
We’d like to thank you all for your support so far and we wholeheartedly wish you and you family well at this difficult time. We can only hope that this is short lived and we will soon be able to put this nightmare behind us all.
STAYING OPEN, KEEPING CLEAN
A Rye business is taking a similar approach and the Whitehouse in Rye High Street is saying we aim to stay open “unless directed to do otherwise” and they are making every effort they can, including becoming “cash free”, to be germ free by maintaining their high hygiene standards.
Tables will be further apart, there will be hand sanitisers for customers and staff, and all possible germ carrying surfaces will be wiped down with increasing regularity and guests can ask for disposable cups.
But government advice may still cut the number of visitors coming to town or older residents popping out to meet friends.
Sources: Bodiam Boating Station; Whitehouse, Rye
Image Credits: Bodiam Boating Station .