Restrictions on hospitality businesses has forced one Horsham café to think outside of the box to meet the demand of the new ‘COVID normal’.

Nourish’d Eatery has used a COVID-19 support grant to install a servery window at its café, allowing for quicker and safer service for staff and customers.

Café owner Stewart Neighbour has adapted the layout at his Roberts Avenue shop in order to welcome more orders from the footpath.

“Through the new servery window we will be able to serve our new Bad Boy Burger Co range as well as our coffee and health food,” he said.

“Not having as many people actually inside the door will help with the efficiency of our business. It means staff can spend more time preparing orders.”

The business owner successfully applied for a Horsham Rural City Council COVID support grant to fund the new window, designed and installed by a Horsham business.

Mr Neighbour said coming into the warmer months, he was also planning other ways to adapt his eatery.

“I am looking at ordering apps to encourage people to order ahead. This will mean low wait times and pre-ordering will mean that customers aren’t waiting around,” he said.

“I am also looking to promote my business to encourage locals to spend at my locally owned café.”

The grants are open to all  businesses, individuals and community organisations in Horsham Rural City to help prepare, respond and build resilience to the pandemic. 

Applications are in three categories – stronger business, recreation and community recovery, and arts and events activation.

The program is open until March 2021, or until funding is fully allocated.

Applications will be assessed and approved monthly throughout the period to ensure support is available when it is needed.

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