An innovative online shopping and home delivery food and drink service launched less than a month ago is proving to be a runaway success and is already planning to expand.
A Day’s Walk, based near Cartmel, is designed to support the local economy and be kinder to the environment.
Every item it stocks comes from a local farmer, grower, producer or business located within a day’s walk of the business – meaning the food is exceptionally fresh and clocks up next to no food miles.
Since making its first delivery on May 27, demand has been extremely high, with between 100 and 130 deliveries per week now being made to customers living in the LA postcode area.
“Seventy five per cent of people who order from us are re-ordering and the orders we have placed with some local producers doubled in week three compared with week two,” explained A Day’s Walk local produce champion Colin Sneath.
“Word has clearly got around and we are being contacted by new local producers to see if we will stock their products. We have already added great local producers, such as Ginger Bakers of Kendal, Kin Toffee Vodka of Newby Bridge and Hawkshead Relish to our online store.
“Morecambe Bay shrimps supplied by Furness Fish and Games Supplies of Flookburgh and damson ketchup from Cartmell Farm Foods at Kirkby Lonsdale will debut this week.”
He said he was very pleased with the way the business was going. “We expected there to be a high demand for home delivery in the current situation, but we are delighted with the number of people who are on their third or fourth order already, despite the fact we are only in our fourth week. That suggests they love the local products, which is to the credit of all the local producers.”
Colin, 57, said A Day’s Walk was now gearing up for the anticipated opening of the self-catering, holiday let market, which is likely to happen next month.
“We believe owners of holiday cottages, caravan parks and holiday parks are in a unique position of being able to add significant value to their guests’ experience by offering our service to visitors.
“By encouraging guests to use our service, holiday let owners can also help to provide a lifeline to local producers, who need business because the hospitality market is so severely restricted at the moment.
“Guests will be able to order in advance and arrive at the accommodation to find great local produce ready for them to use and cook – and hopefully they will also re-order during their stay.
“We can supply breakfast, picnic or movie night boxes, but we would encourage guests to explore the local products on offer and create their own experiences.”
He added that supermarket shopping still involved the need for social distancing, while some pubs and restaurants would either be unable to open or would have to severely restrict the number of customers they could accommodate.
A Day’s Walk plans to increase its fleet from two vans to three and employ additional packers to cope with demand when the self-catering sector opens up.
“We want holiday let owners to contact us so we can tell them more about our service. They can get in touch on 0845 838 6864,” said Colin
One of A Day’s Walk’s principles is that in most cases – and certainly as far as fresh food such as bread, milk and fruit and vegetables is concerned – items are picked up from the producer and delivered the same day to customers. Colin said it had been a challenge logistically but, with the help and flexibility of the local producers, they had managed to achieve it.
The firm is a real family affair with Colin’s wife Emma and son Cameron involved, along with two drivers and an administrator.
Suppliers include Grange Bakery, South Lakes Organic Milk, Heartwood Free Range Poultry, Mrs Prickett’s Preserves, Aireys Butchers, The Handmade Ice Cream Company, Hawkshead Relish, Bowness Bay Brewing, Fell Brewery and Huttons Chocolates.
