A Keswick woman says her earnings have been slashed by around 80 per cent after the Government’s rule of six was introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Jackie Dodds Attwood runs The Keswick Kitchen, a catering business based around functions like birthdays and funerals for large groups, as well as providing private dining at people’s homes or holiday lets, including big party houses.
However, she says both these markets have been destroyed by the rule of six, which came into force on 14th September, preventing people from socialising in groups of more than six.
“I don’t want to come across as a moaning Minnie as just about everyone is affected in one way or another by coronavirus,” said Jackie, who is still able to run her once-a-week Sunset Supper Club at Burns, near Keswick, and a Sunday roast takeaway service .
“It’s just that the functions, supper club and private dining had all picked up really well after we got going again in July after lockdown.
“A lot of people were happy to dine in rather than go out to a restaurant, especially at the bigger holiday houses for 15-20 people — and then the rule of six came in.
“Now all I am left with is takeaway Sunday lunches and the supper club, where social distancing means reduced numbers and a maximum of six to a table.
“I am running on 15-20 per cent of what I used to do, which means I’m earning a fifth,” added Jackie, whose husband Tim has also seen his work as a gardener reduced.
Jackie runs the supper club with Borrowdale-based chef David Jackson, and their next event this Saturday evening is a sellout, albeit with reduced numbers from 35 to 20 because of the rule of six.
“The supper club is still here as a dining alternative and we are available for private dining at people’s own homes or holiday accommodation, although currently only for no more than six diners,” said Jackie, who previously ran the catering set-up at Keswick Rugby Club and her own catering business called Jacs.