Group created to help promote and support Warwick food businesses during coronavirus outbreak

A group has been set up on Facebook to help promote and support food businesses in Warwick during the coronavirus outbreak.

The group 'Warwick home dining' was set up on March 22 by Jess Brookes, who lives in Hampton Magna.

The idea behind the group is to promote the businesses and post takeaway menus so that residents can still support their local food outlets.

Within the first 24 hours of setting the group up around 150 people joined and now there are more than 300 members.

Jess said: "One of the attractions of Warwick is the vast array of independent food places.

"These businesses rely solely on the custom of Warwick people, many cannot afford to advertise or distribute flyers.

"As an online business strategy coach, I know how powerful Facebook groups can be for businesses - especially when they have previously perhaps relied on foot traffic.

"I saw many businesses that I already follow, posting their takeaway menus on their Facebook page and I thought it would be a great opportunity to connect Warwick residents with all the independent restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and food places by creating a dedicated Facebook group.

"Services like Deliveroo charge the businesses around 30% I believe (might want to check), which squeezes the margins of businesses even more when times are already difficult, but the group is completely free to join and to advertise.

"It's a place for Warwick residents to support their local businesses, to have a hub to look through when they are in isolation or avoiding supermarkets, and also gives them the chance to try food from somewhere they've not eaten at before."

Jess wants to spread the word about the initiative and get as many people to join the group as possible. She said: "I've had so many messages from people saying what a good initiative it is - thanks to everyone who has so far shared the group and invited their friends.

"I've been contacting food places to join, but some are so busy that I've added their menus myself.

"If anyone sees a post on a Facebook page that's not in the group, tag me and I can add it.

"We need to try and support our local independent businesses - without our custom, they might not be around when all this is over."

To join the group go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarwickHomeDining/

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you