Delivery gives foody lifeline to mum of newborn

Geraldton’s bars and restaurants are adapting to the strict lockdown by offering to deliver food and drinks to their customers. With the forced closure of venues as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Federal Government last Monday, some eateries are continuing to offer their menus from the comfort of their customers’ home. Chef and owner of the Bootenal Tavern Roxanne Grant said it was quite distressing to learn the venue could not trade. She’s now offering home delivery of food and drinks from the tavern’s menu. “It’s nice to see other businesses doing the same — I really feel some businesses might not survive this,” she said. “What we need to focus is on building our support networks and giving people the opportunity to still support their local.” Alisha Swinbank recently ordered 25 meals from Ms Grant’s business as a gift to her friend, who just got home from hospital with her fourth child. Ms Swinbank said she agreed with the restrictions because it was important to stop the grouping of people in confined spaces. “But I think it’s really innovative to be able to flip your business online during this time,” she said. “Absolutely I’d continue to buy meals if it means supporting local business and keeping people employed.” Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Joanne Fabling said it was important for the people of Geraldton to continue to support local businesses through these uncertain times. “Buying local has never been more important than it is now”, she said. “We need Geraldton’s businesses to survive this storm. It’s great to already see the community bonding together to help however they can.” Bootenal Tavern had been joined by Freemasons Hotel, Murchison Tavern, Geraldton Hotel, Skeetas and Tarcoola Tavern in offering to deliver food and drinks, with more businesses also adapting to customers’ needs under the coronavirus restrictions.