Derby tea rooms to reopen for takeaways after tough few months

The family-run business was hit by Storm Dennis and then the Covid-19 pandemic

A Derby tea rooms hit by flooding and then the coronavirus pandemic is to reopen for takeaway orders next weekend.

Parlour Tea Rooms at Bryer's Heritage Farm, by Markeaton Park, was forced to close for two weeks to clear floodwater after Storm Dennis wreaked havoc across the city in mid-February.

The family-run business, owned by cousins Mel Bayes and Mark Roberts, was unable to reopen for long before the Covid-19 outbreak led to a second enforced closure in as many months.

Mark, 61, said: "Our tea rooms has suffered dreadfully recently. We had managed to build up a large regular clientele until Storm Dennis struck in March this year and we found ourselves under floodwater.

"Two weeks later we managed to reopen the tea rooms only to be closed soon after by the coronavirus."

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After being closed for more than two months, the tea rooms will reopen for takeaway orders next Saturday, May 30.

The tea rooms, which first opened in 2017, will be serving a reduced menu including hot bacon and sausage cobs, sandwiches, cakes and homemade scones.

Operating under social distancing guidelines, the Markeaton Lane business will be using a one-in, one-out policy, with contactless card payment preferred.

Mark, who also works in the rail industry, said: "It has been a hard struggle to build up the business to what it was in March due to local competition and we are sure that it will take many months to rebuild it once again so are seeking your support if possible.

"We are reliant on the Government as to when we can fully reopen, hopefully sometime in July."

To support businesses at this crucial time, Derbyshire Live's parent company Reach has launched #IAmOpen. This new initiative is designed to help businesses let their customers know that they're both open for business and 'Covid-secure'.

#IAmOpen provides businesses with a suite of free marketing solutions they can use to publicise that they're open - and safe to visit. The benefits include the creation of a free website landing page and promotional montage video, plus the provision of complementary creative design services.

This support package has been designed to meet the needs of all businesses that are re-opening and is boosted by a range of heavily-discounted commercial products including digital advertising, social media advertising, and content marketing.

To find out more about how your company can benefit from #IAmOpen click here

Mark is among business owners across our county who have shared pictures of themselves with signs saying #IAmOpen to show customers that they are up and running and support the new campaign.

He said: "I am backing this campaign as the coronavirus has had a devastating effect on small businesses especially cafe's and restaurants which have been closed for many weeks since the lockdown, but the regular bills still keep coming in."