AMID all the uncertainty over coronavirus and the effect on the leisure and tourism industry, one Allerdale hotel quickly grasped the initiative to keep business coming in.

The Greenhill Hotel near Wigton has long been a popular destination for both parties and diners, but like everywhere, bookings have taken a massive hit in the last few days.

General manager Malcolm Scott revealed that they have had 820 cancellations.

However, one of the chefs in the hotel restaurant, Carey Mitchell, came up with the idea of doing takeaways and deliveries from the kitchen, something that the hotel has never done before.

And it was an idea that immediately took off, with people ringing up and putting in orders on Sunday even before the official launch on Monday this week.

General manager Malcolm Scott said that like many such businesses, the sudden impact of the Cononavirus hit hard straight away.

“There was a big boxing event, that was supposed to be taking place on Saturday, and that was cancelled. We had businesses conferences and parties lined-up. We have Mother’s Day cancellations, at this moment we just don’t know what is happening,” said Malcolm.

“We have been in touch with the insurance company. They say we are not covered, but there is maybe some way we can get around it. We don’t know yet.”

However, the hotel is fighting back with an idea that came from the kitchen – takeaways and deliveries.

“It was one of the chefs, Carey Mitchell, and we just thought ‘do it’. We need to try and do something, plus it is going to help people out. I think if there is a lockdown and we can’t do anything, when we do get back open it is something we will carry on doing,” said Malcolm.

“Officially it started on Monday, but a couple of people heard about it on Sunday so we started it then. We put it on Facebook and so many people shared it and commented. It is quite nice to see.”

The hotel is a popular place for diners. Normally the menu consists of traditional favourites, such as roast beef, fish and chips, and steak pie, plus the signature dishes.

“We have just put chicken kiev back on the menu after many years, and that has been going well,” said Malcolm.

The hotel drew-up its takeaway menu, which started with a roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding, pan gravy, vegetable medley, baby potatoes, roast potatoes and horseradish.

Also on the menu is roast berry duck - half a roast duckling, crispy skin, vegetable medley, hand cut twice fried chips or baby potatoes, red berry and port wine sauce.

There is also a burger section, sides, salads and a kids’ menu.

Callers so far have also been asking for dishes from the hotel menu rather than the takeaway menu, but Malcolm said they have been able to oblige: “If we can do it we will!

And it doesn’t stop there – the hotel is also popular for its afternoon teas, and Malcolm said they are providing those for takeaway delivery too.

“For Mother’s Day we have had some cancel for afternoon teas, and they asked if we could put it together - so we are doing afternoon tea takeaways as well,” he said.

Malcolm is originally from nearby Aspatria. After leaving Beacon Hill School at 15, worked at the hotel for a while, before leaving, but returned 18 years ago. He has a short commute to work, living nearby at Bolton Low Houses.

“It was my first job when I was 15, I used to chop the carrots and wash dishes. I was here for 18 months and then I came back 13 years later. In between I worked in quite a few places, local restaurants, and I worked on a cruise ship for two years,” he said.

“There has been a lot of changes over the years, and ups and downs. When I first started, it was so busy with conferences, and big conferences. People used to spend a fortune.

“After the recession in 2008 everything cancelled. We used to do a lot for the education sector and the NHS. We still get a lot but they don’t spend anything like they used to on food.

“Then the company that used to have the hotel didn’t spend anything on the function room. Fortunately Wayne and Kay Jackson from Fletchertown bought it – if they hadn’t I wouldn’t be here now. They have put a lot of money in and refurbished the function room, it is absolutely beautiful now, and wedding bookings are back up.”

The Jacksons bought the hotel around two-and-a-half years ago. and are doing the food deliveries themselves, added Malcolm.

The Greenhill was built as a private house in 1804, by a family of solicitors. Malcolm has also been told that there were some German prisoners of war in the house in the 1940s. It was also used as a children’s home, before being turned into a hotel in 1971.