Peterborough restaurant boss opens 24-hour “McDoggals” drivethru - and people are lovin’ it

John was one of the many business owners hit hard when the Government’s coronavirus crackdown closed pubs and restaurants last month - the same day he had just stocked up for a busy Mother’s Day weekend.

To help make ends meet he has been offering a takeaway and delivery service from the pub/restaurant at Northside, between Peterborough and Whittlesey. Tonight is barbecue night with John’s famous ribs and wings, tomorrow is Sunday Roast, for instance.

But he has taken it a step further with his 24-hour kerbside self service takeaway - complete with honesty box for passing trade to pay.

John, who runs the business with wife Della, and always does well in the PT pub and restaurant of the year awards, said the closure could not have come at a worse time after he had just stocked up on meat, veg and beer. He had to cancel 320 people on Mother’s Day.

“So we are adapting and changing what we do while we have to get a few pounds in to help pay the bills,” he said.

“We have set up a little area where people can stop for a tea or coffee, or a soft drink from the fridge. We have sandwiches and paninis and home made sausage rolls - plus a microwave oven with instructions for people to heat things up. We have even got desserts.”

There are, of course, social distancing and hygiene measures in place for all people taking away.

“There is an honesty box for people to pay, there is nothing that costs more than a couple of quid, and it is free for blue light badge holders,” John added.

“We have always had a lot of paramedics stopping off for takeaway carvery or a coffee because they park up at Fengate and are always up and down the North Bank.

“When McDonald’s announced they were closing I thought they would have nowhere to go for a cuppa, so we came up with McDoggals.”

Find out more at www.doginadoublet.co.uk

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