North Coast hotel's tasty takeaways are a lockdown treat
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A TAKEAWAY and delivery service launched by a North Coast hotel has proved to be a big success.
The Farr Bay Inn at Bettyhill shuts its doors because of the pandemic, closing its restaurant, coffee house and self-catering cottage as well.
But it decided to support the local community during the crisis by providing and delivering takeaway meals.
The service launched last month with hotel staff delivering to households in a 30-mile radius of the hotel.
Customers are also able to order alcohol from the bar during licensed off-sale hours as well as household essentials.
Hotel manager Luke Fearn, whose grandmother Karan Fearn took over the hotel 11 years ago, said: "On our first night of operating as a takeaway, we completed 13 deliveries, which for a small community like ours is a fantastic show of support.
"It reminded us of what we love most about living in our area - the spirit of the people we are surrounded by.”
Staff at the hotel have also created a Facebook group - North Coast COVID-19 Support -
as a platform for local residents to offer support to each other during lockdown.
Mr Fearn said: “The aim is to give our community a hub to turn to. Members within the group have already started to offer support and ideas and we hope this continues."
Mr Fearn paid tribute to local couple Peter and Susan Malone, who run Bettyhill General Merchants - the local post office and store.
He said: “Susan and Peter Malone have operated the village store every day for 16
years and continue to do so throughout the pandemic.
“They have implemented procedures in order to help maintain the safety of their customers and deserve the support of the community now more than ever.
“It is important to shop locally if you can and Bettyhill General Merchants have an extensive stock inventory and can support the needs of the community, as they have done for so many years.
He added: “In challenging times such as these, it is clear how members of Highland communities such as Bettyhill can support each other."
“Perhaps this particular community is setting the trend in which other areas can follow suit.”
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