Brighton and Hove has always been a hotbed of talent and creativity, renowned for its colourful independent businesses which help to draw in more then 10 million visitors to the city each year.
The current Covid-19 induced lockdown is seeing many businesses adapt to meet the new needs of residents and support the army of people working on the frontline throughout the crisis.
Businesses are rising to the challenge to help the city keep smiling through this ‘peculiar storm’.
Keeping the city fed
Curry Leaf Café has produced a new chilled range of their award-winning South Indian street food, curries and tandoor dishes that can be delivered directly to your door, ready for the home fridge or freezer.
Ten per cent of Curry Leaf Cafe at Home sales go towards funding free meals for the amazing team of NHS doctors, nurses and support staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, during the Coronavirus pandemic. (www.curryleafcafe.com/athome)
Nostos is now offering home deliveries of their delicious Greek food and they have also turned the restaurant into an essential groceries shop, providing the people of Brighton and Hove with much needed essential food.
Thirty per cent discount will be offered to all NHS staff. (www.nostos-hove.co.uk)
Flour Pot Bakery is now offering a home delivery service, seven days a week.
You can still enjoy the lovely Cakes and Pastries but also to support local families further at this time they have extended the range to include a number of other essential items. (www.theflourpot.co.uk)
Brighton Express Meats will deliver meat straight to your door.
It offers a free next day home delivery service offering “high welfare, high quality family meat” box deliveries. (www.brightonexpressmeats.co.uk)
Keeping entertained
My Charleston Dance Learn iconic moves from the Roaring 20s with the new My Charleston online dance courses, now available from beginners up to more experienced dancers.
Anyone can dance from the comfort of their home, regardless of their age or level (www.mycharlestondance.com)
Lucky Voice Karaoke is offering a month’s free subscription to their online karaoke service. (www.luckyvoice.com/bars/brighton)
Komedia Brighton is streaming live laughs to your living room every Friday from April 10.
Krater Comedy Club will be hosted by the resident MC Stephen Grant from a secret location – his son’s bedroom –with some of the best hand-picked acts from the comedy circuit.
Watch the shows for free on YouTube via your phone, tablet, PC or Smart-TV. (www.komedia.co.uk/brighton)
Brighton and Hove Albion is holding1,000 tickets for future games for NHS staff and their families to enjoy. The Football Club staff and players have also been staying in touch with their most vulnerable supporters and members with a phone call from one of the team to keep people smiling during this time.
Keeping smart
AN ANIMAL school is using YouTube to teach children during lockdown.
Animal School usually runs animal handling sessions in schools and animal therapy sessions in hospitals and care homes. But during lockdown it is instead publishing weekly videos on its YouTube channel as a promise to the children who attended the Animal After School Clubs. The videos show the daily care of the 120 rescued animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Meanwhile The University of Sussex celebrated the 30th birthday of the Hubble Space Telescope with a special online talk. Dr Stephen Wilkins, Reader In Astronomy at the University of Sussex, gave a live streamed lecture which was followed by a live Q&A on Zoom.
Keeping clean and calm
Brighton Gin has partnered with the Lewes and Isle of Harris-based premium skincare producer, AS Apothecary to create a skin-safe, vegan hand sanitiser.
For every one purchased they will donate two to local organisations in need. (www.brightongin.com).
The company’s product is hand-made small batch British craft gin distilled by the seaside with juniper, fresh orange and lime peel, milk thistle and coriander
You can keep your mind, body and soul strong during isolation with Brighton Natural Health Centre. The centre is a charity which runs classes for everyone, supporting health and mental wellbeing with yoga, dance, pilates and tai chi.
They are offering daily classes, all to do at home (brightonnaturalhealthcentre.org.uk)
Keeping you connected
The South Downs National Park is keeping communities connected with information on local food and drink suppliers and other help available being provided by both businesses and communities, particularly for the vulnerable and elderly.
They have created an interactive map so that you can search and find suppliers, deliveries and support near to where you live.
A spokesman said: “We have been overwhelmed by how many food and drink businesses have been able to adapt their operations and support people to access food, drink and other supplies during this difficult time. Many communities have created vital help for vulnerable and elderly residents through volunteering their time.”
(www.southdowns.gov.uk/connecting-communities-local-suppliers-support-covid19-pandemic)
The Brighton Experience Auction
Thousands of pounds’ worth of prizes have been donated for an auction to help provide meals to NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis.
The Brighton Experience auction was launched by the Brighton Feed The NHS Foodbank campaign after the Clap For Carers salutes started.
It includes prizes from restaurants and attractions for people to enjoy once the lockdown has been lifted.
Funds raised from the sale will go towards maintaining the Brighton Feed The NHS Foodbank scheme, which is sending cooked meals and food parcel donations to healthcare workers with the help of restaurants and businesses across the city.
Prizes worth over £10,000 have been donated and include a cocktail masterclass, chef cooked meals, experiences and gifts; all offering a slice of the Brighton and Hove we are missing today.
More information at www.32auctions.com/BrightonFeedNHS
‘We are lucky’
Alan Robins is chairman of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee.
He said: “We are so lucky to have such a vast range of restaurants, bars, shops and attractions in Brighton and Hove, they are the absolute lifeblood of the city and what makes us such a special place.
“But living with the uncertainties this pandemic is bringing day after day is such a worrying time for these businesses right now.
“To be forced to close your doors and put aside everything you’ve worked so hard for must be truly devastating.
“It is nothing short of miraculous what some people have done to pick themselves up and carry on, finding new ways to operate and giving so much to support the communities and the frontline staff who are working to protect and care for all of us.
“The value of making someone’s day a bit brighter in these challenging times cannot be underestimated.
“It makes us all feel better and I’m so humbled, grateful and prouder than ever to be a Brightonian.
“I thank these businesses from the bottom of my heart and once this is all over I hope we will continue to remember and support all those that have helped our Brighton and Hove community weather this very peculiar storm.”
AT THE Argus we are championing the work of traders during the coronavirus pandemic as part of our #BackingSussexBusiness campaign.
We are always interested to hear how the community is coming together in this crisis. If you know of a local business battling to do all it can in these tough times and/or offering support to the local community, please get in touch at laurie.churchman@theargus.co.uk and rose.lock@theargus.co.uk
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