With lockdown restrictions for the hospitality industry expected to extend for weeks to come, Robbie Allen, founder of ‘Keep Edinburgh Thriving’ has diversified his business offering to incorporate the ‘Quarantini Box’.
Each Quarantini Box will be filled with cocktails lovingly crafted by Edinburgh bartenders and restaurateurs as well as beers and spirits from local distilleries and breweries.
Serving as a critical business lifeline for the hospitality industry, Robbie Allen plans to work with new bars and restaurants each week so the people of Edinburgh can support multiple hospitality businesses at the same time through the regular purchase of a Quarantini Box, which will be delivered free of charge every Friday & Saturday.
The decision to diversify the business offering to support the hospitality industry is a direct result of customer driven demand with Allen confirming that he has sold over 2,000 Keep Edinburgh Thriving boxes (2,011 to be exact), generating over £55,000 in revenue for 47 local Edinburgh businesses in only 6 weeks.
Robbie Allen, founder of Keep Edinburgh Thriving said: “We have been completely overwhelmed with the support we have seen for Keep Edinburgh Thriving and it’s been amazing to be able to support local independents to stay in business through such a tough time.
“Our local bars and restaurants are expected to stay closed until at least July or early August so we want to support them as much as we can as well as bring a little bit of the Edinburgh bar scene to customers across the city who will be missing their favourite bars and restaurants.”
Nick Robinson, Owner of Tonic Bar Edinburgh comments: “In this difficult time the Quarantini Box allows Tonic as a team to bring a little bit of normality back into our lives.
“We can’t wait to have our doors open again, to see our customers enjoy themselves and put this all behind us, but as our doors are closed we are accumulating substantial amounts of debt each week via fixed costs and the Quarantini Box will allow us to generate some revenue to reduce this debt.”
There are two box sizes of gift box available – a small box contains four cocktails and one beer (£39) and a large box contains six cocktails and one beer (£55). Each Quarantini box also contains garnishes, serve instructions and pick n mix. All you need is a glass and some ice.
If customers want to enhance their at home experience, they can add a cocktail shaker for only £5.
Rachel Bailey-Palumbo, Director at Hey Palu, said: “Hey Palu is still relatively new to the Edinburgh bar scene (under a year old), so the impact of COVID-19 and having to close our doors has felt particularly devastating.
“COVID-19 has meant we have had to think on our feet to diversify and has led to the creation of our ‘Hey Palu at Home’ ready to drink cocktails. When the opportunity arose to partner with the Thriving Box Company we were extremely excited.
“Their clever concept gives people both the opportunity to support Edinburgh small businesses like ourselves and try new products, whilst also opening up the possibility for us to engage with new customers, who we hope will become regulars once we are able to open again.”
Menu for delivery weekend of 22nd May will include:
- Espresso Mart-ana-tini from Buck & Birch
- Banana Daiquiri from Hey Palu
- Negroni from Old Poison Distillery
- Starburst from Tonic
- Gluten free lager from Bellfield Brewery
To help support the local community further during this epidemic, £2 from each gift box sale will be donated to the Edinburgh Food Project.
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has caused a sudden, steep decline in business for cafes, restaurants, boutiques, artisans, creators and local retailers.
For more information about how to support your local high street and keep Edinburgh Thriving, visit www.keepedinburghthriving.com
