LockDown Musings
What a crazy time we're living in!
One minute business was booming ... fully booked for 3 months in advance for Afternoon Teas, and a steady flow of Bed and Breakfast bookings, life was very busy, and I was truly "living The Dream'.
The Workshops which had been so successful in collaboration with 'Flowers By Little Shed' and 'Entangles Design' were fully booked for Spring Workshops, and I had accepted numerous bookings for Baby & Wedding Showers, as well as Family Celebrations.
Work had just completed to replace the conservatory roof & upgrade the log burner ... giving us a beautiful Garden Room which will be much more comfortable to use all year round. I also had big plans to upgrade one of the Bed and Breakfast en-suite bathrooms and had purchased some of the fittings.
Life was all very busy and exciting... I was loving every minute. My daughter and I were working hard developing a venue decoration service and my head was full of plans and ideas, shopping lists, things to do lists, blah blah blah!
Then Covid 19 happened! It's quite surreal how quickly life 'turned upside down'. I made the decision to cease trading 3 days before the government edict stipulated that I 'Had To' .... which at least gave me a couple of extra days to 'get my house in order'. Refunding all those deposits left me out of pocket because the card payments cost 4% every time. No government support was available for small businesses like mine, because my main source of income is my occupational pension..... the outlook was suddenly looking very grim!
My iPhone, which was normally buzzing away all day with messages and bookings, was suddenly completely silent (except for further cancellations!) Determined not to sulk, I busied myself with lots of jobs I'd been too busy to do previously, and also took great joy and comfort from the garden .... which has not been lavished with so much attention for a long time!
My lovely customers have been my life saver .... I'd had several requests to offer a takeaway tea, but felt that it would be too difficult and stressful given the shortage of ingredients, and hellish queues at supermarkets. But as time went on, and the shopping situation eased slightly, I gave myself a bit of a talking to, and made the decision to test the water with Takeaway Afternoon Teas for V.E. Day. I was overjoyed to be absolutely inundated with requests, and sadly, was forced to turn some people away!
It was a Baptism of Fire, with nail biting moments, worrying if supplies of boxes, bags, napkins & fancy plates would arrive in time, completely underestimating how long deliveries would take, and other mini disasters, but it was so lovely to be trading again, in a different way ..... but trading nonetheless.
The delivery / collection service is ticking over nicely, and will be operating until the Lockdown restrictions are eased sufficiently to enable the Tea Room to re-open...... I hope to be able to welcome Bed and Breakfast guests very soon.
Many Heartfelt Thanks to all Loyal customers who have gone out of their way to offer support - it really is enormously appreciated.
Lets hope that we all manage to stay well and safe and life gets back to some kind of normal soon xx
