Yet again this pandemic, villagers are relying on Ruddington’s The Bottle Top to keep them stocked with essential items now that the toughest, national restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19 are back in place.
Whilst the new wave of Coronavirus and a third ‘lockdown’ have forced some of our village shops to close yet again, husband and wife team Anthony and Alex Preston are continuing to provide us with all their usual supplies. These include plastic-free fruit and veg, dried zero waste goods such as rice, nuts and oats, local pastries and sourdough breads, takeaway coffee from The Split Screen Coffee Company and, of course, BEER to take away, too!
February 2021 additions include the return of their popular Fruit & Veg Boxes – which you can order up to 24 hours in advance and are priced from £13.99 to £21.99 – plus a planned new range of Zero Waste and Organic Wine (pictured), supplied by an eco-conscious winery, which have made it to the tasting table..
Alex says: “We have added new lines to the shop to help, including vegan goods and gluten free produce. We would like to encourage people to sign up to the newsletter via our website. We send out the newsletter once per week and will be collaborating with local businesses in the area and offering them free advertising space on our newsletter to help support them during the restrictions.”
When you enter The Bottle Top, you’ll find reassuring COVID-safe measures in place, including the need to wear a face covering and a limit to the number of people in the shop at any one time, to enable 2m social distancing: “We are open for walk-in shopping rather than just serving at the door, as we did in the first ‘lockdown’. We now have the canopy so that, if queuing is needed during bad weather, it can be done under the canopy so you can keep dry!” says Alex.
If you haven’t spotted their smart new, awning yet, it’s the one the duo inherited from former incumbents Thomas’s Greengrocers – dated as pre war 1920s. The old fabric has been replaced and the metalwork refurbished – in line with the shop’s recycle and reuse principles – so the historic canopy now looks as good as new!
The Prestons celebrated The Bottle Top winning a 2020 Celebrating Rushcliffe Award in the ‘Business of the Year’ category. It was a double celebration for Alex as she is also on the steering group of Ruddington Village Centre Partnership which won another award on the same night for its monthly village market.
Alex adds: “We would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all you folk. Your kind words, loyalty and encouragement got us through 2020 relatively in one piece!”
Since 5th January 2021, with COVID-19 restrictions putting the UK back in ‘lockdown’, customers are still unable to remain onsite to enjoy their drinks and snacks. However, everything can be enjoyed as a takeaway, as before. You can contact Alex and Anthony by emailing thebottletopnotts@outlook.com, texting or ‘phoning 07946 190499 or getting in touch with them via social media.
Keep an eye on The Bottle Top’s latest offers, initiatives and opening times via their Facebook page >>HERE<<.
