These are very challenging times – but we have been blown away by the community spirit of those wanting to help. This Blog is the first of what we are sure will be a number that we will share over the coming days and weeks to update all on issues surrounding the Coronavirus and how it is impacting on our town, residents, businesses, community groups, schools, college, health and social care partnerships as well as on those planning to visit.

Delivered to your door …

Do you live in Cupar? Perhaps you have elderly or vulnerable friends or relatives who live in town – or in of near any one of the following: Baldinnie, Balmalcolm, Bow of Fife, Blebocraigs, Ceres, Craigrothie, Craigsanquhar, Cults, Dairsie, Cupar Muir, Dura, Foodieash, Kemback, Pitlessie, Pitscottie, Springfield or Teasses.

A group of Cupar’s businesses are working hard to meet the changing demands created by the restrictions being imposed as a result of Covid 19 – to offer deliveries to households across Cupar and the town’s rural catchment.

The Butcher, The Baker … and the Fishmonger!

The Fish Tail is a new business that’s just been launched by the award-winning Central Cafe in Cupar. Owner, Paul Caira, explains: “Our cafe and take away are busy businesses. We have had customers ask if we can sell fresh produce – and that started us thinking. I spoke with our fish suppliers and they were keen to support the idea – not least of all because we have a delivery network set up for our takeaways.” He adds: “Last year we launched an App to enable customers to order their takeaways from their phones. That really took off and has proved to be a very successful move. It struck me that we could easily add fresh produce to the App – and that’s exactly what we will be doing.”

Paul already works with Fisher & Donaldson in town and his customers can buys some of their products when ordering online. Paul says: “We’ve teamed up with Fisher & Donaldson to offer more – and their products will be added to the App soon.”

Paul also knows and works with Stuart Minick – the butcher on Crossgate. Stuart says: “Paul spoke with me about his fresh fish business – and then the coronavirus hit. Two and two made five – and we thought we could work together to offer fresh meat as well.”

And so people across Cupar and the town’s rural catchment can now order not only the Central Cafe’s takeaways – they can add fresh fish, bread and bakery items – and choose from a selection of packs that Minick’s are offering for home delivery. The meat packs will need 24hrs notice for delivery. A 2 charge will apply to each delivery to cover the costs of the delivery team, vehicle and fuel. Need more? Call 01334 653050.

 

Fresh Groceries

Paterson Fruit Fayre on Bonnygate is a fruit and veg outlet that also has a great range of groceries. They’ll cover the same area – and have scheduled times when their deliveries are run.

Fresh fruit, seasonal veg – much of it from Scottish farms – as well as all kinds of grocery items, including pasta, jams, baking products, dried fruits, nuts, biscuits and more! Call them on 01334 652440.

 

For the home and garden …

Another business providing home delivery is R Dott Thomson, Cupar Hardware – also on Bonnygate. For those who are self-isolating – or are thinking that they may well have to in the near future – the store is well stocked with all manner of items for the home and garden … from items you may need such a light bulbs and batteries to paint (for that decorating job that needs doing) as well as all manner of ideas for the garden. There will be a small delivery charge to cover their cost of the delivery time, vehicle and fuel.

Nicola says: “We’re also aware that Mother’s Day is fast approaching. We have some lovely gift ideas including glassware, candles and more. We’ll happily arrange delivery to those in and around Cupar to ensure Mums don’t miss out.” Need more? Call them on 01334 652106.

 

And there’s more …

We’re monitoring all the digital channels we manage seven days a week, so we’re very aware of the challenges and anxiety many are facing: we want to help share and promote as many as we can who are going the extra mile in their service delivery for their customers, our residents and wider community. Below are just a handful of posts from businesses to highlight …

Ostlers Close Restaurant are exploring creating the Ostlers’ unique experience to be collected or delivered to those living nearby. Aangan Indian Restaurant & Grill are offering OAPs and NHS Fife staff a 10% discount on deliveries – and the team at Temptations Boutique Bakery on Ladywynd delivered an enormous, scrumptious looking cake to Ninewells after a customer cancelled too late … hats off to them for rewarding those on the front line.

And 1B Westport Cafe are one of many thinking outside the box, launching a takeaway service to support their loyal customers in the town. Please show the town’s businesses your support wherever you can …

Share – and share a like ‘?

We continue to speak with businesses, organisations and community groups with a view as to how home deliveries can be best supported and promoted – all to ensure those in our community who are in the most vulnerable groups can be helped with key supplies – the elderly as well as those with underlying health conditions. We are sharing numerous updates from individual businesses and groups – primarily on our Facebook page, so please do follow us and encourage others to do the same.

 

Run a business? Want to help? Need support?

Please get in touch now.

Cupar has more than 450 businesses selling products and services across every sector. Whatever you need, please support businesses in the town. You can use our Blog’s map via this link …

… to search for businesses and organisations – and please share with colleagues, customers, friends and family to ensure we all support those in our town as best as we can.

 

Business Update

First and foremost, CuparNow is a business support service and we are working hard to offer help to businesses and organisations who need it. We have communicated via MailChimp to those for whom we have email addresses, are sharing more online as well as through our social media channels.

If you run a business or organisation in town are you have not received an email from us, please tell us and we’ll add you to our database.

We are very aware of the concerns businesses and organisations are having regarding the impact the Coronavirus outbreak is having – and will continue to have for the foreseeable future. We want to do all we can to help.

 

PLEASE FOLLOW THE ADVICE

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are the recent onset of a new, continuous cough and/or a high temperature. If symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, please phone your GP or NHS24 (111). There’s up to date advice available via http://bit.ly/HealthProtectionScotland

Coronavirus and your business

We’re sharing an update that we hope will be of use re the latest updates concerning Covid 19 …

The following is for business owners and their employees to find information on how to deal with concerns about Coronavirus (COVID – 19) in the workplace:

Sources of Information and Advice on Coronavirus (COVID – 19)

Call: A helpline for Scottish businesses to answer Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions is available on 0300 303 0660. Opening hours are: Monday to Friday, between 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Read: Health Protection Scotland have published advice and guidance for non-healthcare settings including offices.

Read: The joint 4 nations have published a Coronavirus (COVID – 19) action plan.

Read: The UK government has published guidance for Employers and Businesses on Coronavirus (COVID – 19).

Read: The Scottish Government has published its plan on how it will respond to a Coronavirus (COVID – 19) outbreak in Scotland.

Read: ACAS have published advice for employers and employees on the Coronavirus (COVID – 19).

Business Insurance: check your business insurance policy to see how it will work if your business is affected by an outbreak of the virus. Some standard policies may not cover you in the event of an outbreak of a disease. Check to see if you have Business Interruption Cover and if so what it includes. If you do not have this then you may wish to speak to your insurance provider to see if it can be added and at what cost.

Business Continuity Planning: you may already have one in place but if not then this could be the time to put together a Business Continuity Plans that includes things like cashflow, supply chains, employee management. A guide on this topic can be found on our website. You can also speak to your local Business Gateway office on Business Continuity Planning.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If we can’t help, we will do all we can to put you in touch with someone that can.

Thank you.