A SMALL family-run shop, which has proved a lifeline to the community it serves, has made some very big changes to the running of the business due to the impact of coronavirus.

Belsay Shop and Post Office, which has been under the management of mother and daughter duo Jane and Laura Sym for the past 10 years, has remained open throughout the pandemic, providing villagers with essential food supplies and a friendly face.

And now, to cope with demand, the shop has launched a website and a new food delivery service to continue its support to the vulnerable and elderly in and around Belsay.

The food delivery service will complement the already existing daily paper and milk delivery service offered by the shop, which is based in a grade II listed building.

"Throughout we've been really busy", said Laura. "There's been a lot of support for small local businesses.

"The shop has been a life-line for the older generation, whose family live away. 

The shop has also introduced a number of strict Covid-19 regulations to ensure staff and customer safety inside the premises.

Only three customers are permitted in the shop at any one time, where two meter markers are placed on the floor.

Perspex screens have also been fitted and staff clean hotspots, including fridge handles and card machines, up to every 30 minutes.

And all six members of staff also wear face shields, to contain the spread of the virus, and hand sanitiser is readily available to customers.

Laura added:"It's a testing time and hard work, but we're getting into a routine now. The business changed overnight and we had to adapt."

Laura explained that while there had been a few stumbling blocks along the way with suppliers, the shop has gotten by with the help of other local businesses, including Gilchesters Organics, in Stamfordham, and has managed to stock food that large supermarkets have struggled to source.

"Only one quarter of stock was arriving because of demand", said Laura. "But local suppliers came up trumps. We hope people will continue to support us and remember what we did to support them."