Traders join forces to offer Borders-wide free deliveries during lockdown

Four of the town’s shops have begun co-ordinating customer orders for volunteers to transport to homes Borders-wide at no extra cost during the coronavirus lockdown.

Martin Baird Butchers, the Premier convenience store, the Country Kitchen deli and the Purple Plum greengrocer’s have already made numerous deliveries via local volunteers and resilience teams, to homes across Melrose, Bowden and Galashiels and as far afield as Lauder, Stow, Hawick and Kelso.

Deliveries are being made most days to those shielding or self-isolating and unable to get out to shops themselves.

“The response to this has been really good so far,” butcher and shop owner Martin Baird, 58, said. “It has totally transformed our business.

“We are doing a lot of deliveries each day, particularly on Fridays in preparation for the weekend.

“I hope everybody’s business can keep busy and remain busier going forward.”

The initiative means Borderers can receive orders including meat, pies and wines, vegetable boxes, dairy products and essential groceries in one drop-off.

“Where possible, we are transporting them together as one free-of-charge delivery to individual doorsteps in the small villages and larger towns in the area,” Martin, owner of his High Street shop for 17 years, added.

“Myself, Martin Ali from Premier, Hazel Laidlaw from the Country Kitchen and Amanda Donald from the Purple Plum are all incredibly thankful for the invaluable help of all those who have volunteered in this difficult time.

“Together, we are actively committed to continuing to provide this essential doorstep service to all those who require it.”

To arrange help to get supplies during the lockdown, email [email protected]

More good news for Borders businesses despite the lockdown here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/business/hotels-borders-among-winners-virtual-scottish-hotel-awards-2845002