An award-winning Gloucestershire smokery has launched a telephone and online supermarket, and nationwide delivery service, as it bids to keep supplying its retail customers, all whilst incorporating social distancing measures and Government safety advice.
Having closed its cafe and restaurant, Severn & Wye Smokery is looking to go above and beyond to enable customers throughout the UK to continue enjoying its offering of finest quality fresh and smoked fish and other grocery and deli products by offering call or click-and-collect, and nationwide delivery service.
Situated on the edge of the Forest of Dean between two of England’s most celebrated salmon rivers, the family-run smokery practices the old-fashioned art of smoking, using only the highest quality fish and meat.
Ordinarily, its produce is sold on-site and supplied to various high-end establishments including Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz and Claridge's to name but a few. Now though the smokery is offering a ‘call and collect’ service and also delivering straight to the door of customers from far and wide following a successful trial period delivering locally.
Co-founder Richard Cook said, “In the course of a month, the hospitality industry has practically closed down. Only those with the agility to adapt their offering are able to keep going.
'Whilst from a business perspective the easiest thing at this present time would be to temporarily close the shop, we feel that we have an onus of responsibility to supply not only our own products but also a range of other essential products to customers, especially when they are experiencing difficulties with shopping at supermarkets and accessing other online services.”
He continued, “After a trial period of offering home delivery to our local and surrounding communities, we have been encouraged by the response of our customers and are now looking to roll the service out to support a wider area by welcoming orders from all over the UK and Ireland.
'We hope that by doing so we can help customers get the provisions they need, whilst easing the unprecedented pressure on larger retailers who may be struggling to meet demands for national delivery services and ongoing product shortages. We’re looking to take something positive out of the ongoing crisis, with a view to planning for the future.”
Cook added, “At present, our fish market, deli and food hall are still very much open for business, with people able to come in and purchase produce, as long as they comply with the social distancing guidelines. For ease of pick-up and to reduce time spent in the food hall, if desired, customers can call ahead to place their order. We will then be happy to package everything together, ready for a pre-agreed collection time.”
More than just a smokery, The Barn at Severn & Wye - which was recently awarded runner-up in the category of ‘Food Hall of the Year’ at the prestigious Guild of Fine Food 2020 Awards - has a well stocked grocery store and a fresh deli counter brimming with delicacies made by a team of chefs led by former ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ winner, Mark Stinchcombe.
Although the popular cafe and restaurant are currently closed in line with Government guidance, the fish market, deli and food hall at The Barn remain open and are well stocked with a wide array of fresh, frozen and chilled products; including their renowned fish and seafood offerings, as well as artisan goods from local Gloucestershire suppliers - helping to keep other local businesses going too.
The deli counters are packed with homemade pies, fishcakes, soup, quiche and salads, and in an effort to further support the local community the food hall is expanding its range to carry many more basic staples.
Cook concluded, “With the hospitality industry facing a very tough time, we’ve been exploring methods that allow us to keep working and our customers to keep enjoying our food, whilst staying safe, of course.
'With the necessary structure to do so already practically in place, we’ve leapt into action and created a service that does both. We’re looking forward to helping our customers get the items they need, easing the burden on wider food suppliers.”
Orders can be placed by visiting www.cognitoforms.com/SevernWye/orderform or by calling the Severn and Wye Smokery team on 01452 760191.