Selkirk pub making a meal out of keeping going during lockdown

Tracey and Trevor Ward decided to take on a new challenge after closing the Fleece Bar and Kitchen in response to that UK Government directive.

The couple, owners of the Ettrick Terrace bar for four and a half years, have resumed operations as a takeaway.

In the past, the pair had offered a private dining at home service so they have now decided to modify that sideline by delivering ready meals across the town and beyond.

The initiative has really taken off, they say, with more than 200 value-for-money meals, all prepared on the premises, flying out of the door at weekends.

Among the meals on offer are cottage pie, fish pie, beef bourguignon and venison casserole, all complete dishes that can be reheated at home.

Tracey said: “It’s been a huge swerve for us, but we feel we are providing a useful service and keeping the business operating.

“We’re delivering to people of all ages, not just the elderly, and we also deliver three-course meals for people celebrating special occasions.

“On a Saturday, we can deliver about 250 meals. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you are perhaps looking at between 30 and 50. Friday and Saturday are obviously the big days for us.

“We will do this as long as there is a need for it, and I don’t think everything is going to go back to normal overnight.

“In the week running up to the time we had to close the restaurant, there were some customers in the bar who asked if we would do deliveries, and we thought we would give it a go and see what happens.

“We had never done ready meals before, and we have gone from being named the best restaurant in the Borders for the last two years onto ready meals, but it is at least keeping some kind of money coming in.

“We are never going to be able to retire on it but we are keeping our name known, which is important, and offering a service that is appreciated and needed.”