North East tea delivery firm Ringtons has suspended its famous delivery network in an effort to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
The Newcastle firm – which has a network of delivery drivers that supply thousands of people around the North with tea, coffee and biscuits – had seen a rise in demand for its products as more people work from home.
But the company decided it wanted to protect staff and customers, and ensure it was not adding to the spread of the disease, because its deliveries often involve close contact.
It has suspended its own delivery network but is still taking online orders of £15 or more that would be delivered through the Post Office
CEO Simon Smith said the company had only suspended deliveries twice before, during the two World Wars, but it was confident the company would come through the crisis.
He said: “Having listened to the Prime Minister last night, we had a huge dilemma. We thought the most responsible thing to do, bearing in mind we've 220-odd vans at doorsteps, was to protect our sales staff and our customers and not be involved in any spread of the virus.
“It's very tough because we know that our customers are out there and they expect us to turn up.
“This has only happened twice before and that was the World Wars.
“As a company, we're set up for rainy days, the business is very strong, so we're doing everything we can to come through this.”
