Emerson’s Supermarket pulls out all stops to serve community in lockdown
By ELEANOR McGILLIE
A LEADING Armagh retailer and restaurateur says he and his team remain dedicated and committed to serving the community of Armagh and surrounding areas in what he describes as ‘extremely challenging trading conditions’.
Gavin Emerson, owner of Emerson’s Supermarket, has had to shut his restaurant Uluru Bar & Grill in line with all other restaurants in Northern Ireland, but has commended his team for their huge efforts in spite of three weeks of enforced lockdown.
Mr Emerson said his team are being proactive in terms of saving jobs, protecting staff, doing what can be done to help the elderly and vulnerable.
Lockdown
Speaking on Monday morning, Mr Emerson said: “With enforced lockdown here, our chefs and restaurant staff have been helping out in the supermarket to cope with buying behaviours over the last few weeks. However, they are now developing a Meals On Wheels option and we are in talks with community groups who will hopefully be able to deliver ready cooked meals to older people in Armagh and the surrounding areas.
“We also put out a call on Facebook for volunteers to come forward who could deliver shopping to older people’s homes. There was a good response to that and we applaud everyone who sent us their names and numbers but the more volunteers we have the more chance we have of helping the most vulnerable.
“Social distancing is vital and keeping children at home is paramount so we are respectfully requesting that children are not brought into the supermarket. Management understands this is difficult but we have to do our bit to protect everyone who enters our store and that includes our staff and all customers.
Social distancing
“Our staff are all following procedure in terms of social distancing, wearing gloves, wiping trolley handles, basket handles, pin pads and all surfaces. We are respectfully asking our customers to take all precautions. We have hand sanitizer stations at all entrances to the supermarkets – please use them.
“We have also put up customer notices in store requesting that people stay two metres away from each other and our staff are now wearing badges to remind customers. We are also getting new screens installed this week to limit contact between staff and customers.
“These are extremely challenging trading conditions. Never before have we had to operate under such conditions. There is a lot of concern and rightly so. We encourage everyone to do their bit and keep each other as safe as safe can be.”
ENDS:
Notes To Editor:
- Emerson’s is a family run supermarket which has been serving the local community for over 125 years. The supermarket employs 110 people and is committed to creating a sustainable future on the high street in Armagh city centre. Emerson’s houses a local family supermarket, the city’s Post Office and a restaurant.
- For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 07709805379 | mgmpr.co.uk | Retail PR | Public Relations Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK | Brand Journalism Experts
