A FAMILY business near Shaftesbury, that was established more than 150 years ago, is surviving the Covid-19 pandemic through deploying staff, revised health and safety measures and its online shopping service.

Grocers and cafe Dike and Son has been serving the residents of Stalbridge since 1851, surviving wars, recessions and, now, the global health crisis.

To adapt to the recent virus outbreak however, the food store has enforced measures and facilities including a ‘one-in one-out’ policy, the regular cleaning of trollies and baskets, and a hygiene gel station.

Following government guidelines Dike’s was forced to shut its cafe, but through deploying staff and offering a fish and chips takeaway service twice a week, the business has successfully held onto 75 members of staff during lockdown.

Only two delivery drivers over 70-years-old had to stand down for virus shielding reasons.

“Like many enterprises, we’ve had to adapt in double-quick time to these extraordinary circumstances,” explained Andy Dike, the firm’s leader.

He added: “My team has been absolutely superb and I’m incredibly proud of the way staff have pulled together.

“It is clear to many of us that customers, particularly the middle aged and older, are appreciative of the rigorous public health measures we implemented very early on – it gives them peace of mind.”

Despite the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, shoppers have been using Dike’s online service for food shopping, which has caused the website to beat its yearly web figure since launching in 2015, in only the first four months of 2020.

Andy added: “Whilst the internet has been incredibly convenient for many customers, who can choose from 10,000 products listed on our internet shop, some of our older customers prefer the personal touch.

“They ring in their delivery order by phone, get people to drop their shopping lists into us or send over what they want via an old-fashioned fax.

“We’re also seeing a surge in orders for pre-selected grocery boxes, full of staples and fresh food and milk, because some customers simply don’t want to make decisions on food and drink items.”

James Robinson, a partner of Dike and Sons at Poole-based PFK Francis Clark, said: “Andy and his staff have risen to the operational challenges presented on a daily basis by the national emergency – they’ve swiftly adapted, changing working practices to seamlessly meet the online and traditional needs of customers in the digital and physical world.”

Andy, who joined the business in its fifth generation, added: “I’m so proud of the team. There were tears to start off with, because of all the challenges which come with virus transmission prevention, but we’re still smiling despite everything. It’s that wartime spirit – keep calm and carry on.”