From fisherman to a cocktail maker here are some local producers offering delivery or take out in the Bridport area and beyond
Classic Dorset cocktails in a can: Dark Bear
Lloyd Brown and David Smith were about to celebrate the second birthday of Dark Bear, the cocktail bar they run in East Street, when the lockdown was initiated. The talented mixologists are renowned for their passion for using local ingredients to give classic cocktails a Dorset twist. “The Dark Bear has been well supported locally and we wanted to keep that going,” said Lloyd. “We were hugely lucky to meet Pete from Gorilla Canning who makes canning machines on St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport. He kindly loaned us a machine to enable us to make and then can our classic cocktails, such as the Bridport Dagger (gin, lime, cassis, apple balsamic syrup and ginger beer). We post the week’s menu on our Facebook page every Monday, book your order by 2pm Thursday, then we deliver to Bridport and Beaminster on Friday and Dorchester on Saturday.” Their classic Dorset cocktails in a can have gone down a storm. They also ran a Crowdfunder for pre-paying for a round or a masterclass when they reopen. “This has been extremely well supported, our regulars are keeping us going!”
Follow them on Facebook for details of what cocktails in a can are available.
Bacchus & Asparagus: Furleigh Estate with Bothen Hill Farm
Rebecca Hansford from Furleigh Estate is working with neighbours Chip and Anita de Greeff of Bothen Hill Farm who grow asparagus in the field next to their vineyard. They are offering Furleigh Bacchus Fume NV and two bunches of freshly picked asparagus from £20 including free delivery to your door. “We had planned to have a joint event with Bothen Hill at Furleigh on St George’s Day,” said Rebecca. “With the event cancelled we came up with the idea of delivering Bacchus and asparagus direct. We promoted the offer online after Easter and it went so well that we are continuing it until the end of the asparagus season. Although it is really hard work reinventing things that you do, it does mean that Furleigh Estate is becoming known by a whole new raft of people. We hope they will continue to buy our wine when things get back to whatever normal is going to be in future.”
Order here and you can buy Bothen Hill’s asparagus from their farm at DT6 4ED, and also at Modbury Farm Shop, Fruits of the Earth in Bridport and Washingpool Farm Shop.
Fishing for the Community: Little Pearl, West Bay
Mathew Sparrow and Scott Young own the Little Pearl fishing boat, which works out of West Bay. They pot for crab and lobster, as well as catching plaice, sole and skate. When conditions are right, they hand dive for scallops. As local commercial fishermen they have been recognised as essential workers. “We are going out daily to fish,” said Mat Sparrow. “Then we sell our catch from the harbourside to the local community at reduced cost, observing social distancing of course, because now is the time for us as a community to help each other.” The day’s catch is published here on Facebook.
Like their page to be updated with the times of when they are at the harbourside.
Market stall to your door: Bridport Basket
The Bridport Basket is a new business initiative set up by Ilaria Padovani to deliver food and drink to homes during lockdown. Ilaria, a native of Verona, established Mercato Italiano in 2013, supplying the very best Italian cheeses, cured meats and salami and olives to West Dorset. She also sells her produce at weekly markets in Bridport, Axminster and Totnes, as well as Food Festivals throughout the West Country. “I set up the Bridport Basket and joined with other traders to provide a selection of regular Bridport Market shopping, in one basket, delivered to the home,” said Ilaria. “Currently on offer are Italian cheeses and salami, freshly baked bread from Wobbly Cottage, seasonal local vegetables from Tamarisk Farm and wines from Selected Grapes.” Ilaria is currently in discussions with other local producers and suppliers about joining her Bridport Basket scheme.
Order online here Deliveries are on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Essentials for the community: Cherries Ice Cream Parlour and Café, West Bay
Marianna Browning, who runs Cherries in West Bay, has transformed her business into a hub for delivering essentials and ready meals to the community. “I work with some great local food businesses including butchers S J Normans and Anton’s, Cain Farm Fruit and Veg, and Charmouth Bakery,” said Marianna who, when the lockdown was announced, closed her cafe on the Sunday and delivered their first fruit and veg box on the Monday.“Having promoted the new service on social media, during that first week I spent each day speaking to vulnerable people who were scared and had no idea how they were going to be able to shop. Supermarkets hadn’t got their systems in place and community groups were still being formed.” Marianna did what she could delivering essentials and reopened the cafe kitchen in week two to cook meals. “Now I’m delivering the fruit and veg boxes along with bread, meats, freshly ground coffee and our homemade meals. I’m also making special occasion cakes, celebration meals and high teas. It’s a privilege to deliver not only essential items, but a few treats too.”
Minimum order for free delivery is £25. For details of what’s available call 01308 301207/07973 631059 and follow Cherries Ice Cream Parlour here on Facebook
Delivering to new customers: Framptons of Bridport
As well as their butchers shop in Market House in East Street, Framptons supplies to many restaurants, pubs and holiday parks across the area. To fill the gap left when these closed, Phil Frampton now offers free delivery of his fresh and cooked meats, sausages, pies, eggs, cheese, chutneys as well as essential vegetables to homes around Bridport, Beaminster, Charmouth, Lyme Regis and the surrounding villages. “Initially people were taking up the service as they had been let down by the supermarkets,” said Phil, who delivers six days a week. “Many customers are still with me as they realise what a great service they are getting. If they order in the morning, we deliver the same day. We really appreciate all the people who are using our service as it means we can stay open during these uncertain times. One thing that is certain though, we shall continue to offer our home delivery service when lockdown is finished!” Framptons is open Monday – Saturday from 8am until 3pm when it closes to manage orders.
For collection and delivery ring 01308 422995 or send them a message via Facebook.
From the fishing net to your doorstep: West Country Catch
Louise and Tim Edwards from Bridport started West Country Catch some seven years ago, supplying quality fresh fish and shellfish to restaurants, caterers and wholesalers in Dorset, Devon and Somerset. The closure of this market overnight left them wondering how their business would survive. They furloughed their five staff and made the decision to offer services direct to the consumer. At first they tried van sales at strategic meeting places around the area but found social distancing too difficult to manage. What it did tell them, was that there was a need to offer home deliveries direct to people’s doorsteps. Buying direct from Weymouth, Portland, Brixham, Plymouth and Newlyn day boats means that they have access to a wide variety of seafood. As well as fresh fish they supply frozen produce such as white bait, squid and king prawns. Tim is responsible for the sourcing and preparing the fish, and Louise manages the taking and packing of orders. “It’s been a very interesting learning experience for us both,” said Louise. “The two of us do everything so we have been extremely busy. Last week we had over 120 orders and drops to do. But the support and feedback we are receiving is brilliant and makes it all worthwhile. We’re very proud of the service we are providing, and it is our intention to make home delivery a permanent offer of West Country Catch!” Deliveries are free for orders over £20, and take place on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Click here for details of the week’s catch and specials, including seafood platters.
Keeping it local
The Bridport Local Food Group has a list of local shops adapted for social distancing and delivery options here at the Bridport local food group.
BearKat: Dom Brown is delivering his vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as coffee (beans or ground). Click here to keep updated.
Washingpool Farm Shop: Own grown and locally sourced produce including greengrocery, milk, eggs, freshly made bread, meats, jams and chutneys, ready meals and sauces. Click here for more details.
The Lime Tree Deli: Bridport’s oldest cheesemonger offers free home deliveries of essential supplies. Friday/Saturday ‘A Cheesy Night In’ a bottle of prosecco, four cheeses, crackers, chutneys and olives £25. Follow them her e or call 07799 267653.
Red Brick Café: Take-away vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes on Friday evening and Saturday day/evening (deliveries 3-mile radius, minimum order £6). Find their menu here or call 07867 752329 / 07837 186313 or message via their Facebook page to order.
Ilchester Arms, Symondsbury: Take-aways with free deliveries Friday/Saturday night 6-9pm. Find their menu here or call 01308 422600 to order from Wednesday.
