Boris Johnson’s Monday night announcement that all high street shops selling ‘non-essential’ goods must stop trading straight away, as part of the Government’s ever tightening controls to contain the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, has obviously had a huge extra impact on our normally thriving village.
Our pubs, cafés and restaurants had already been forced to close last Friday – but some initially launched takeaway menus. Even with the latest movement restrictions, the Government says selling takeaway food is still acceptable so long as social distancing measures are in place. However, most catering businesses in Ruddington have now decided that it’s not practical for them to do this (see below*).
One of those which is still offering takeaways to villagers is Gino’s Ristorante Italiano on Church Street. Fred’s full menu of pasta, fish, pizza, vegetarian, steak, veal, poultry and specials is available from 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It can can be delivered to your door if you don’t wish to risk venturing out – or are currently in self-isolation. You can call Gino’s on 01159-405-105.
To help out villagers most in need, some other Ruddington retailers in the ‘essential’ category have pledged to carry on serving customers for as long as possible by observing stringent ‘social distancing’ and cleaning regimes at their premises.
As reported previously one of those is Ruddington Post Office on High Street, which is staying open to accommodate its range of essential services – from the posting of parcels and letters, to postal collections, banking services, deposit and withdrawals and payment towards vital utilities. However, the branch is opening to reduced hours of 8.30am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, and operating on a ‘one-in one-out’ basis to ensure proper ‘social distancing’.
Ruddington’s The Bottle Top, next door, is also continuing to serve shoppers – offering products such as plastic-free fresh fruit and veg, Hambleton’s Bakery bread, pantry staples to weigh into your own containers, hand wash and other refills, eco-friendly toilet rolls, AND – of course – vital lockdown beer, cider and spirit supplies! However, owners Alex and Anthony Preston have reduced their opening hours to 10am until 3pm, Monday to Saturday which are for collection of pre-ordered goods only. This is to enable them to trade as safely as possible, for both themselves and their customers. You can read more >>HERE<<. Not only that, with the help of volunteers, they are delivering FREE to all NG11 postcodes for orders of £10 or over. You can place an order by texting or phoning 07946 190499, emailing thebottletopnotts@outlook.com, or contacting them via social media.
For those missing Ruddington’s seven pubs already, Nottingham Brewery beer for delivery or collection is also being offered by The Frame Breakers during the lockdown – with bottles of EPA and real ale boxes of either 18 pints or 35 pints being delivered around Ruddington. You can email Andy Heath and his team at hello@theframebreakers.co.uk or message them on social media.
With meat still in short supply at the supermarkets, Shane Ginty at Ruddington Village Butchers – although due to close for good on April 11th – is currently doing brisk business, and opening his Church Street shop on days when he would normally be shut, in order to meet villagers’ demand. Unusually, he’s trading today (Wednesday 25th March) between 10am and 4pm. Shane says he will probably now open more frequently but for shorter days – including this Sunday, if he has any stock left. He is posting daily updates >>HERE<<.
“I still intend to close – but it will most likely be May now” reveals Shane. “For the time being I am still Ruddington’s butcher and will give the best service I can, unless any changes in circumstances prevent me. For safety’s sake I will now work on my own and request that no more than two customers come in at a time. However, I must say, they have been brilliant and are disciplining themselves without me having to say anything.”
Ruddington’s Grange Bakery and Newsagents also remains open for both newspapers and food to take away. Owner Thomas Alton says: “We are offering to help anyone who is self-isolating or feeling vulnerable in the village. As well as hot food, we are also able to deliver goods such as bread, milk, eggs, beans, etc, but require these to be ordered by 12pm for delivery the following day.” You can call The Grange on 0115 984 4117 to find out more.
These independent, village traders have been proving vital in supplying certain, high demand items which have disappeared from supermarket shelves – with their suppliers still struggling to catch up following unprecedented recent demand. Here’s the current situation in our village:-
Ruddington Co-op – Church Street
NOW OPEN: Mon to Sat 7am to 8pm (reduced hours) & Sun 10am to 4pm (as usual)
Vulnerable shoppers are being accommodated during the first hour of trading each day, as shown on this customer notice. If you are shopping on behalf of someone in that category you’re asked to bring some ID for them. To save putting yourself at risk with a wasted journey, if requiring high demand stock items you can ‘phone the store to check first on 0115 921 2010.
Sainsbury’s Local Ruddington – Dutton’s Hill
OPEN: Daily 7am to 11pm (currently unchanged)
Unlike Sainsbury’s big supermarkets, unfortunately ‘Local’ stores are unable to offer dedicated shopping times for elderly or vulnerable shoppers at this time – nor specific priority for NHS and social care workers. However, to save putting yourself at risk with a wasted journey, if requiring high demand stock items you can ‘phone the store to check first on 0115 984 1157.
*** READ MORE ABOUT SHOPPING IN OUR SUPERMARKETS >>HERE<<***
For medical requirements and prescriptions Evans Pharmacy on Charles Street remains open on Charles Street. However you are urged to follow NHS advice and NOT to attend if you, or someone you live with, with has Coronavirus symptoms (high temperature and/or new continuous cough). You should ask someone else to collect any medicines for you. The Ruddington pharmacy can be contacted on 0115 921 1086 or by emailing ruddington@daleacrehealthcare.co.uk if you’re in any doubt.
Dentists and opticians are permitted to stay open ‘for essential and urgent services only’ during the COVID-19 clampdown. Both Ruddington Dental Practice on Wilford Road and Amanda Findlay Eyecare on Charles Street remain available to cover this need – but are seeing clients by special appointment only.
If you’re a cyclist who needs your wheels for essential journeys, Cycle Clinic Ruddington on Church Street is also still open. Owner Austin Hayes says: “With bike shops remaining open in these times of uncertainty I will offer FREE bicycle repairs to all NHS staff using their bikes for commuting to work (parts & servicing not included).” He can be contacted on 07790 032110 or by emailing cycleclinic75@gmail.com.
EVERYONE ENTERING ANY RETAIL PREMISES IN RUDDINGTON MUST FOLLOW THE UK GOVERNMENT’S SOCIAL DISTANCING ADVICE, WHICH CAN BE FOUND >>HERE<<. BUT REMEMBER, IF YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE OUT, YOU SHOULD PLEASE STAY AT HOME!
*Businesses now temporarily closed…
Despite being permitted to stay open at the moment, Ruddington Fish Bar owner Demetrios Lawton shut his shop until further notice yesterday (Tuesday March 24th) saying: “I have decided to close as evidence from the last few trading days has made it clear that working within the boundaries of social distancing – and realistically maintaining the health and safety of my customers and staff – would be nigh on impossible.” He adds: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support and loyalty, especially over the last few days. Please be responsible, STAY HOME and STAY HEALTHY.”
Other village centre businesses who’d originally planned to offer takeaways or delivery services, but have also decided it’s impractical or unsafe now to do so, include The White Horse Inn, Black Cat Café, Jaspers Café, and Philo’s Espresso Bar & Eatery. The Cottage Hotel has also closed for the duration.
Simon and Helen Beale of Perkins Hardware also chose not to take the option of staying open as an ‘essential’ retailer saying: “We have decided to close the shop for the time being due to Coronavirus. We hope to be back soon. Stay safe and please stay home!”
We will update this page with any further information we receive. Please contact RUDDINGTON.info >>HERE<< if you have anything more to tell us.
