CH1 ChesterBID and KingKabs look to save Chester’s high street with delivery services

As the coronavirus takes crowds away from the high street, KingKabs and sister firm Abbey Taxis will offer a delivery service from restaurants and retail to try and keep the high street going

The coronavirus is already having an impact on Chester’s city centre, with social distancing and self-isolating very much underway. This is set to continue for coming weeks and CH1ChesterBID is looking for innovative solutions to help the businesses and keep Chester’s city centre in good shape. Over the coming months, they will use the #ChesterTogether to make sure Cestrians and businesses are connected.

KingKabs has announced a service to both businesses and customers whereby they can collect from any store within the city centre who becomes part of the scheme. Their drivers will pick up goods and deliver them to where they need to go. This could include anything from fresh produce from the greengrocer to books or clothing, or children’s toys. The taxis will also be able to pick food up from independent restaurants that don’t use Deliveroo or other delivery services.

Cally Thomas, director at KingKabs and Abbey Taxis said: ‘We’ve been struck by how isolated people are becoming and by the huge delays for online shopping, we wanted to be able to offer a more local delivery service for people that really need it. This will be same-day delivery, so no need to wait a week or two.

She added: ‘We will have to charge for the service but we don’t want that to restrict access to those most in need, so we’d ask any elderly or vulnerable customers who would like to use the service and can’t afford it to get in touch with us directly and we’ll be able to offer complimentary runs on a case-by-case basis.’

CH1ChesterBID will be compiling a list of all the businesses who join the initiative – and be able to provide comprehensive instructions for how it will work for each business, whether payments will be taken over the phone or if there is a specific person to speak to or e-mail.

Emily Ghazarian, CH1ChesterBID said: ‘We normally enjoy over 1.6 million visitors in April in Chester so there is no doubt that our businesses will be devastated by the distancing measures and potential lockdown.

‘Our city centre businesses have proved themselves brilliant thus far at being adaptable throughout this crisis and initiatives like this one from KingKabs will serve to connect the city centre with those stuck at home. There are many people who like to shop local and support the high street and this initiative gives them the opportunity to do so.’

CH1ChesterBID has launched the #ChesterTogether campaign in order to continue to provide city centre businesses with support during the pandemic and to try and ensure there is a healthy high street for Cestrians to use again soon.

For more information for businesses about CH1ChesterBID’s #Chestertogether campaign please go to

https://ch1chesterbid.co.uk/bid-support-for-members-coronavirus-covid-19/

For businesses and customers looking to use the KingKabs delivery scheme, please ring the team on 01244 343434 or e-mail customerservice@kingkabs.co.uk