'We thought it was going to be the end...but we are now hopeful for the future': How The Beer Garage in Northampton has adapted through lockdown

A family-run business in Northampton that specialises in beer has thanked customers for their support during lockdown as it continues to expand its service.

The Beer Garage, based in Wootton, is run by Laura and Ricky Butler and has been going from strength to strength since it launched in 2015. But then lockdown hit in March.

Laura told the Chronicle & Echo they had feared the worst.

"We thought we were going to have to close because the lockdown restrictions said that if your business wasn't considered to be crucial then you couldn't work," Laura said.

"We were really concerned it could be the end, but then Boris Johnson announced that off-licences could operate, so we thought about what we could do."

Laura said, at the time, she was nervous about going out due to concerns about family members.

"After a lot of discussions, we decided to launch non-contact deliveries. If people wanted to order, we would drop at their house - we wouldn't ring any doorbells and open gates, and we would wear gloves at all times. It was completely non-contact.

"The response was amazing, everyone was really supportive - no-one questioned it and they were really positive about it. We gained so many customers as a result," Laura said.

Laura and Ricky have not been able to attend any events but the growth in the customer base is helping to ensure the business survives.

"We are just amazed - from thinking the business would close to where we are now - if people continue to support us, we are hopeful we will be here next year," Laura added.

The support for independent businesses has been one of the real positives to come out of lockdown.

"We have had loads of people say they want to support us - an we've promoted other local business and we would only get our bread from The Good Loaf, we supported the local green grocers and got eggs from the lady up the road," Laura added.

In the last couple of weeks, The Beer Garage has started to deliver draught beer on Fridays and Saturdays.

"We pick a beer that we like and we think our customer base will like and take two-pint containers that are delivered within an hour of being poured. We sold out last week and have again this week," Laura added.