Residents who would normally enjoy a luncheon club meal or who are in need have been treated to some first-class chilled meals thanks to a partnership between local catering company Vanilla in Allseasons and Congleton Town Council.

The high-end catering company who are based on Greenfield Farm Industrial Estate in Congleton approached the town council offering to cook 300 meals for socially isolated residents in Congleton.

At this time of the year the catering company would normally have been busy catering for weddings, corporate events and functions: events that have needed to be cancelled or postponed due the coronavirus pandemic.

The town council worked with the luncheon clubs at the United Reformed Church and St John's Community Centre and New Life Church who manage the Storehouse food bank, to establish a list of people to benefit from the generous offer.

The meals arrive prepared and ready to be cooked. Cooking instructions come with the meal and the dinner can be used within three days of delivery as long as they are kept chilled.

On Friday 8th May, VE day, staff from Congleton Town Council met with Simon Bailey from Vanilla in Allseasons to take delivery of 80 freshly prepared chilled meals.

These were a great success with lots of positive comments received by the Town Hall staff delivering the meals and their cooking instructions.

A further 106 meals were delivered on Friday 15th May and further deliveries will be made for the next two Fridays.

There has been a great response by those who have received the meals and Congleton Town Council is looking to see if this service can be continued.

Congleton Town Mayor Cllr Sally Ann Holland said: "It was a very kind and generous offer from Simon at Vanilla in Allseasons to prepare 300 free meals for the Congleton community.

"I know that the meals have been well received by elderly and vulnerable residents across Congleton.

"As a town council we are looking into ways for this service to carry on. It is great to see the community pulling together to help one another in these difficult times."

Mr Bailey, Catering Director at Vanilla in Allseasons added: "We are so pleased to be able to help those who may be struggling more than others at this difficult time.

"It's important for communities to pull together and support each other, and we are proud to be a part of this.

"Part of our company ethos has always been to support our local area. Usually, this would be through using local products and employing local people.

"Our excellent staff are happy to help and this initiative facilitates keeping our team spirit as strong as ever.

"Even though business is not 'as usual', we're still sticking to our ethos – supporting our local area, and importantly, those who live here."