A Mansfield café has started delivering afternoon teas - and residents are buying them for this adorable reason

Gemma Lennane, owner of Cakefield Cakes Tea Room on Meden Square, Pleasley, said the idea began after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that cafés, pubs and restaurants must close temporarily to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The 37-year-old said: “Unfortunately, this all came around Mother’s Day. We put it out there that we’ll let you take it away. Because of that we doubled what we had booked into the tea room originally.”

A sweet afternoon tea costs £12.95, comprising a selection of sandwiches with salad and crisps, a scone with jam and cream, chocolate mousse and a slice of cake.

Gemma said people are now buying afternoon tea as a gift for loved ones.

She said: “People have been ringing asking if we can deliver it for Grandma’s birthday. People are still thinking about others. Afternoon teas are something we have always specialised in so it’s nice we can keep it going in box form.

“I have been enjoying the feedback, putting a smile on someone’s face – but we should be thanking them for keeping us going.”

Gemma added: "It was scary to start with but we have been taken into the community so well. People are trying their best to keep us going and that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.”

Deliveries to the elderly and people self-isolating are being prioritised, but staff at the tea room are trying to dispatch further orders if they have capacity.

Gemma added: “You can also book and come and collect it.

“Deliveries are completely new to us, I can’t wait till we are back to normal. I thought we were busy before, I’ll never complain again.”

The café, which opened last May, is also taking other meals to older and vulnerable residents, as well as fundraising to provide food for key workers.

Gemma said: “I have family members who are key workers at King’s Mill Hospital and my husband is a bus driver who found he couldn’t get food during a 12-hour shift.

“I saw on the news that a restaurant was donating meals and I thought it was a great idea, but I can’t fund it myself as much as I would want to.”

Gemma has set up a Go Fund Me page to help collect money.

She said: “Let’s feed them. An army marches on its stomach – getting them food is how we can keep them going.

“We are never going to feed everyone. But it is about showing them that we are thinking of them and they are needed, wanted and respected.”

Supporters can donate to Gemma’s appeal here.

Her deliveries to elderly and vulnerable people cost £30 per person for seven hot meals, including steak pies.

Customers can order an afternoon tea by calling 07830 630249.

Delivery is available within a radius of five miles from the tea room.

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