LOCAL businesses are working hard to keep their loyal customers well fed, caffeinated and coming back for more amid strict COVID-19 regulations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Travel restrictions, a ban on dining in, and the threat of a potentially deadly virus has wreaked havoc on the local hospitality industry.
But there's plenty of joints around town refusing to quit - from produce packs to family meals, they've come up with creative solutions to keep the company viable and bring customers what they crave.
Read also:
The restaurant area at the Pig and Tinder Box was forced to close and the business faced some "drastic changes to operation", owner Fraser Haughton told the Leader.
But the kitchen is still very active, whipping up weekend meal hampers, home-style 'heat and eat' dinners and a 'grab and go' takeaway menu to make the process of getting food as convenient as possible.
Mr Haughton said the company saw a void that needed filling.
"People can't go out to eat anymore, so they can have some of the food they would normally go out to get," he said.
He said their menus and hampers are built around "comfort" food.
"The ethos has been simple things done really well, it's a quiche and a salad and a roast chook, but it's been prepared by pretty handy chefs," Mr Haughton said.
The takeaway coffee window has re-opened at the Peel St building, in a move he described as "nostalgic". It's also serving treats people might normally buy at sister store Sonny's Bakery.
"It's been nice in a lot of ways to have connections with people in the mornings," he said.
With so many people across the region now working from home to curb the spread of COVID-19, local hotels are also trying to fill a void.
Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth manager Daine Cooper said the company is selling off suites for the day as offices.
"They've got WiFi, a large working space, they've got coffee pod machines, they can order off the restaurant menu ... they don't need to go out for any reason," he said.
"We're just adapting to what we've got and what we can do for people ... while also providing for our own business."
Hospitality might have taken a hit, but Mr Cooper said as long as people keep supporting local, they won't stay down.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
