Brasserie hit by thieves stealing £1.2k worth of food

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Heart-breaking theft: the Old Vicarage head chef Gavin Allan (centre) and his team planned to prepare meals for the community

A Shropshire hotel and brasserie has had £1,200 worth of food that was earmarked for a community food delivery service during the Covid-19 outbreak stolen.

The Old Vicarage at Worfield, near Bridgnorth, was broken into on Friday (20 March) night and its fridges and freezers, which held chicken, beef, lamb and fish were raided.

The venue was planning to choose from a daily menu, which the head chef Gavin Allan was putting together.

Tough times

The orders were going to be delivered to the door for just the cost of the ingredients, in a bid to help those who were self-isolating or needing a meal.

Owner David Blakstad said: “We just can’t believe this has happened. Times are really tough for us, as a business, and we have closed our doors to customers in line with Government advice.

“We were planning to start a community food service on Monday (23 March) where we would offer residents nearby the opportunity to order meals and we would deliver it to their doors but, sadly, we are not going to be able to do this.”

Not possible

He added: “The people who have done this have not only stolen from us but they have taken away the chance for the community to receive this help from us.”

Head chef Gavin Allan added: “It is heart-breaking. We were trying to pay something back to our community and now it looks like that is not going to be possible.”

Blakstad went on to warn other businesses across the country to be extra vigilant, following the closure of pubs, restaurants and cafés.

He said: “We would never have believed people could do this but this serves as a warning to other business owners, with people stripping food and now the alcohol sections of supermarkets and shops, our bars and kitchens are a target.”