A POPULAR garden centre has gone ‘drive-thru’ to get back in business and help deal with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Perrywood Garden Centre, in Kelvedon Road, Tiptree, is open for business again – and is now offering a food takeaway service.

There is also a ‘drive-thru’ service for compost, bark and other materials, so customers can pick up supplies without having to enter the store.

Communications manager Louise Smith said: “It was fantastic to be able to open our doors again.

“We’re pleased to say the measures we’ve implemented to keep our customers and team safe and social distanced are working really well.

“A lot of preparation and hard work has gone into getting ready to re-open and enable everyone to feel as comfortable and at ease as possible.

“The compost drive-thru and food takeaway service are a completely new practice for us but it’s a time when quick-thinking changes have to be made.

“Both have been successful in allowing customers to purchase popular items without needing to enter the main garden centre.”

Perrywood Garden Centre closed on March 23 and re-opened on May 13.

The takeaway service, which now includes afternoon teas, offers homemade food, prepared on site in the Coffee Shop kitchen.

It is open from 9am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am until 3.30pm on Sunday.

Customers can pop in when they visit, call 01376 574304 to place an order for collection within 30 minutes or order online using the link on the garden centre’s website.