Biggleswade businesses keep calm amidst ‘heartbreak’ over ghost town

Companies have been faced with difficult decisions to make since March 16, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised the public to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues.

While many theatres closed, some pubs and restaurants stayed open, with loyal supporters visiting to support staff amidst the uncertain financial times.

However, on March 20, restaurants and pubs had to close that night after a decisive speech by the prime minister.

Help has come for some in the form of measures from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which allows employers to claim for 80 per cent of furloughed employees’ usual monthly wage costs (up to £2,500 a month).

But luckily, Biggleswade businesses have a fighting spirit and are determined to carry on in these uncertain times.

Joe Tutt, owner of Nonno Joe’s, said: “Before the 20th it was a bit of a limbo situation, but we decided to do the right thing and close up the restaurant on the 17th because Mother’s Day was looming.

“We had to adjust pretty quickly, but we sort of accepted it, knowing that morally we wouldn’t look back and feel like we were greedy or taking liberties. We’ve all got families and we don’t want to harm anyone.”

The High Street business has had to furlough some employees, such as pot washers and front of house staff, but hopes that once the crisis is over they will be able to return, with the employees entitled to help from the job retention scheme.

Joe, whose business still runs a busy delivery service, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all the workers that have stayed on and done what they needed to do. We’ve had to change their hours and switch everything around. Thank you to those who aren’t working for hanging in there and trusting us. We want them back and care about them all; we are like a little family.

“Thank you to our customers for getting behind us and keeping us busy.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan Medlock, of the Surfin Café in Biggleswade Market Square, has described the situation as “heartbreaking”.

He told the Chronicle: “It is sadly clear for everyone to see, how our town of Biggleswade has been like a ghost town since last week.

“Being a business set in the heart of town, on the normally bustling Market Square, it is heart-breaking to see our shop shuttered and no-one around what has been for the last 17 years one of the community hubs of the town.”

Mr Medlock reworked the shop to allow for takeaway food and drinks only initially, but then made the “difficult and right decision” to close his Biggleswade and Ampthill shops.

He added: “Monday through Tuesday we emptied both cafes and delivered all the cakes and food to our local ambulance office. We also dropped off 26 pints of milk to Potton Road nursing home.

“It has been a very worrying and unsettling time for us as business owners, as it has been for many others.

“We have retained all our staff on the basis of the Job Retention Scheme and business support grants announced by the chancellor.

“The difficulties are numerous with the business taking no money, and our time is used negotiating with suppliers and those with whom we have financial arrangements on how to get through this period, and be in a position to open again at the end of it.

“The timeframe is unclear as to when the financial aid will begin to filter through, and it places huge pressure on how we tread water for the time now when we are closed, and how to try and plan forward.

“The support of our loyal and valued customers is amazing, and to receive the many kind messages through social media reminding us how much the Surfin Café means to so many people, and how these people of Biggleswade mean so much to us.

“We have used social media positively to keep in touch with our Surfin community, and encourage the best from everyone; to support the NHS, to stay at home, to try and help the more vulnerable people amongst us and to do something good for someone every day, even if it is just a wave or a hello.”

Unlike restaurants, pubs and cafes, supermarkets and convenience stores have not had to close.

The Biggleswade Express, Shortmead Street, is reaching out to the elderly and vulnerable.

Shop proprietor Mandeep Gill, also known as Bobbi, said: “We are based across the road from the retirement complex and saw the genuine concern and panic from the elderly.

“There was one lady who needed a prescription but there was no-one to see her at the hospital. If she didn’t get it she thought she would die at home. We delivered it to her and she was very thankful.”

As well as running caring errands, the shop is offering a food delivery service to those who are self-isolating, initially offering help to Parkland Place and Northgate Court.

The team has created an order sheet which they give to the homes for residents to fill in and leave in the lobbies for collection. Payment options can be discussed with the shop over the telephone.

Describing the atmosphere in town, Bobbi added: “The best way to describe it is eerie! The pharmacies I feel for because they have the biggest queues, but everyone is abiding by the rules and sharing positivity.”

To ask for help from Biggleswade Express, call: 01767 221185. For prescription help contact Biggleswade Good Neighbours: 07771 104255

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