In just five minutes of standing in the doorway of Whitstone's fish and chip shop, at least four customers asked when it is re-opening.

It is a sign of how much this award-winning chippie has been missed by locals.

While the popularity of the award-winning shop is not in doubt, the owners have shown they are pretty nimble too, managing to re-focus the business to cope with coronavirus.

It closed on March 24 and the couple are eager to get back to work - and are grateful for the "fantastic" help they got from B&NES - which has allowed that to happen.

Owners Emma and Lee Swain, who have been running the Westfield site for five years, have had to make major changes and heavy investments to re-open.

They have put in three new phone lines, new card machines, bought stacks of insulation boxes and have installed long stretches of perspex, just so they can get back to serving: " All our lovely customers".

The shop wants to thank the supportive and helpful team at BathInvest, who were quick to offer reassurance and financial help to allow them to continue their business.

Whitstone's will re-open on May 6 serving with deliveries and with collections only from the door, with all payments taken either through the window or over the phone. They will be open Wednesday to Sunday only :11:30- 2pm and 5pm until 9pm and they will also be offering free meals to NHS workers.

They can be contacted on 01761 416948 and the number for ordering is 07840167989 , with a delivery service to Midsomer Norton and Radstock, which will cost £3.50 (which goes to the driver) and anything up to four and half miles, for £5 delivery.

Emma explained that the business has installed guards across the whole of the serving counter, even though no customers will now be allowed in the shop and will instead have to phone in orders and collect from the door.

"We are safeguarding our customers and our staff," explained Emma, " We are doing everything we can to make everyone feel safe."

Lee said the business has been able to adapt due to the Small Business Grant from B&NES. He said:" Within a week it was in our account, they were very efficient. B&NES were fantastic.

"My son has a small business here in Midsomer Norton and he has also had money.They were very easy to contact and very good. I want to pass that on.. the guy we were dealing with was fantastic. Very supportive and a pleasure to deal with."

Emma said: " We are just looking forward to having all our customers back. I do miss them."