WITH the hospitality industry taking a battering this year due to lockdown and further restrictions brought in to combat a rise in coronavirus cases, businesses are having to be creative ways to fill the void.

Arabica Caffe, a Northwich coffee shop and cafe located within Gadbrook Business Park, has seen its customer base pretty much vanish since the lockdown was announced in March.

For owner Chris Buck, the fact many of the local office workers in the neighbourhood have either been furloughed or are working from home, has led to him offering them a space in his cafe instead.

He said: "The last few months have proved to be very challenging.

"The business park is deserted because everyone is working from home.

"I think there's only about 10 per cent of people left at the moment, so for me, when the government announced work from home, it was a blow.

"I really rely on those offices and the other side of my business is corporate hospitality, including catering for training courses, but obviously they aren't happening either."

Northwich Guardian:

Arabica Caffe is providing customers with the chance to work remotely.

Facing a very uncertain future, Chris, who has ran the business for the last twelve months, decided to take a chance and offer those working from home, the chance to get out of their own four walls and carry out their business in a fresh and new environment.

He explained: "It was just another idea to bring people in.

"I've been chatting to people who said that they were so fed up working from home, being so isolated and not getting out.

"And then, the customers I did have coming in were saying how nice it was to see me open and to get out and see someone, so I decided to give it a go.

"I started it last week and so far it's been pretty positive."

Chris is offering a remote working deal, which costing £15, includes a socially distanced work space, Wifi, unlimited tea and coffee and a lunch sandwich or panini and chips, with working hours being 8am-2.30pm.

"Since I started I've been doing about three of four people a day", he added.

"It's enabled me to open up the second room we have here.

"I just hope by doing something like this, it makes people realise that we are still here and we're open for business.

Northwich Guardian:

The caffe has room for between ten and 15 socially distanced remote workers.

"Even if people don't want to take me up on the full daily deal, they are obviously more than welcome to come in just for a coffee.

"People's mental health has really suffered from being so isolated, especially if they just spend all week within their own four walls and don't get out.

"Anything that keeps us going really obviously helps."

For bookings telephone 01606 354444 or email info@arabicacaffe.co.uk.