Both general stores at Keswick’s two petrol stations are to provide a new 24-hour service to help NHS and other emergency staff get access to food and supplies round the clock.
The Spar shop at the garage on High Hill is operating a service hatch during normal closed hours, while the store at Derwent Service Station on Penrith Road is also remaining staffed through the night, opening its doors when someone they know needs items. Staff will use nights to restock as it is difficult to do so in the day with the two-metre rule.
At Braithwaite, a team of volunteers is helping the village store to stay open, providing groceries and newspapers and also running a delivery service for orders and prescriptions. Orders can be made to owner Daphne Eddington on 017687 78157 or at [email protected]
She said: “We have deliveries to the shop of fresh fruit and veg every day and meat from Tony Harrison’s most days. I am setting up a mailing list so that I can tell people what’s in stock in the shop and also what we have newly delivered.”
At Bassenthwaite, volunteers are collecting and distributing prescriptions for villages and communities north of Keswick along the A591 corridor on Tuesdays and Fridays. The service is being run in conjunction and with the agreement of all the Keswick pharmacies and Castlehead Medical Centre. If contacted, Castlehead and Cohens Chemist (Station Street) will add anyone requiring this service directly. Boots prescriptions need to be ordered directly on 07830 281986 from Gordie Oliver, who is registered with the NHS Volunteer Responder scheme.
Bassenthwaite also has an “Honesty Shop” operating, stocking everyday essentials for the local community, with assistance from Keswick Mini Market. There is also a swap box to exchange books, games etc. Hand-washing is required with wipes and hand-wash available. It is hoped the service will limit journeys people need to make in out of the local community.
Fraser and Rebecca Dooley, at Keswick Mini Market, can take phone orders of £5 or more each day and then deliver the goods to Bassenthwaite by 4.45pm. Orders should be given a day before to include fresh fruit and veg. The shop has a full stock of food, plus newspapers/magazines and off-licence. Deliveries will be delivered to doors of people self-isolating. To order call 017687 73535. There is also a meals on wheels service twice a week for the Ravenstone Manor Hotel at £3 a meal.
Reflecting on the whole package, Gordie said: “Hopefully all this will go some way to helping our community and importantly limiting the journeys we have to make.”
