How Warwick's new deli has adapted to serve the community

A new deli in Warwick has still been able to serve the community despite coming up against restrictions and lockdown.

Rachel Hamilton-Shaw was due to have a grand opening of The Deli in Brook Street in March.

However due to the lockdown and social distancing guidelines, Rachel adapted her business so that she could take orders online and provide delivery and collections.

The Deli stocks a variety of items including ones from local independent producers and also has a dedicated cheese room.

She said: "We managed to open on the March 27 – although not our physical doors.

"We transformed ourselves into an online store from a shop-based deli so that customers could see and buy our products online.

"We then immediately offered a delivery service to our local community and solo store collections from the door step.

"In the last couple of weeks we have been able to open our deli kitchen, offering our own blend of coffee, freshly made cakes, sandwiches, salads, lasagnes and other delicious deli style treats from the door of the deli.

"Our fresh deli kitchen dishes are available from the door of the deli each day we are open, which we are able to operate completely contactless and have marked two metre spaces outside the door which has been working really well."

"We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the Warwick community and surrounding areas.

"As well as the amazing support from other independent businesses who have given us so much good advice and physical support to get us going.

"We are so grateful to Warwick and the surrounding area for all their support during these unprecedented times.

"It has been a rollercoaster of emotions to open during this, but everyone’s well wishes and support have kept us going and will continue to do so until we can officially and literally open the bug blue doors of the deli to welcome everyone in – when we have a safe way to do so."

Rachel has lived in Warwick for seven years jumped at the chance to open a shop in the town.

"Running my own business has always been an ambition of mine.

"As a resident of Warwick it has been in the back of mind for some time, however it was all about finding the right premises and location, so I was delighted when this opportunity on Brook Street came up last autumn.

"I got the keys in November and have been hard at work renovating the building since then.

"From hairdressers to delicatessen has been quite a transformation and I hope our customers are going to love it as much as we do.

"I am passionate about the vibrant, independent business community we have here. Living and working locally is really important to me."

Before setting up her own business Rachel used to work in the hospitality sector. She said: "I have spent my previous working life working for a number of national and global hotel brands.

"I had to work all over Europe, including six years living and working in Spain.

"Whilst I had some fantastic experiences (including the food obviously), it was hard being away from friends and family so I’m very excited about the opportunity now to create a business in the community I am part of.

"I’ve been a huge supporter of the fabulous independents we have in Warwick and am incredibly proud to be joining them.

"I’m passionate about great food and great service and have a particular love of cheese; so it’s a dream come true to be opening a deli with its own cheese room."

For more information or to place an order go to: www.thedeliwarwick.com