A RESTAURANT in Middlewich is urging the community to support local businesses during these difficult times.
Il Padrino has been forced to close to meet tier 4 coronavirus rules but is offering a takeaway service.
The Italian restaurant has been overwhelmed with support from customers and says this is vital for survival.
Mum-of-three Claire Halluni, who runs the restaurant in Wheelock Street with chef husband Alberto, said: "This is a very bad time for everyone. It is so important that people shop local, eat local and support all their local businesses.
"We understand this it is a hard time for everyone but small independent businesses have families to support themselves and mortgages and bills to pay. Without support they are not going to be there afterwards."
Il Padrino is now open on Friday and Saturdays for takeaways only. Customers are asked to email orders from Wednesday each week.
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Salvatori Suad, head chef and business partner, and chef and owner Alberto Halluni
"We've had to put our staff on furlough but our chefs will be working," said Claire. "We will be offering our full menu. We need to receive orders in advance so we get an understanding of what stock to buy.
"We have programmed it all very well. Customers give us an approximate time they want to collect and wait at the front of the restaurant. We have sanitisation stations and Alberto gets the food from the kitchen.
"We want to thank customers for their continued support. It is overwhelming."
The restaurant delivered 420 home cooked lasagnes and 140 pizzas to frontline NHS staff at Leighton Hospital for 15 weeks during the pandemic.
"When this is all over we plan to put on a special evening of live music with a set menu so that we can drink and dance and celebrate with our customers once it is safe to do so," said Claire.
To place orders email ilpadrinomiddlewich@gmail.com
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