Call to support local businesses this Christmas from Yorkshire Dales start-up
The founder of Sipful said they wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been for the support from the local community
The owner of a Yorkshire Dales drinks company is urging people to shop local this Christmas.
It's as smaller businesses are struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic, testing their ability to adjust their business model and keep things running smoothly while still making a profit.
Sipful in Ingleton, Craven district, was set up a matter of weeks before the pandemic hit and since then sales have been up and down depending on the restrictions.
Founder Darius Darwell quit his full time job in January 2020 to launch the company Sipful and then two months later the world was put into lockdown.
He said it was "monumental"
"It's been a journey and a half. It's been monumental. I gave up my full time job in January to launch Sipful and then in March the whole world went into lockdown so it's been a bizarre time to start a business", Darius, said.
"It has been hit and miss but with a big broad brush I would say it has been catastrophic in terms of where we wanted to be as a business by this point. However, when people go into lockdown people start shopping from home, doing it online so it does spike a little bit."
But Darius said they "wouldn't have survived" if it hadn't been for the support from the local community.
He added:
"It's a validation to what they're doing and being appreciated and you know you're going in the right direction.
"The support from the local community was great. We started up, had just had a baby and my partner Em was delivering products with the boxes piled up in the bottom of the buggy for people in the village. It was amazing.
"I think there are a lot of businesses starting up which are really championing local, championing quality and authenticity of brand narrative, flavour and imaginations. There is a lot more of that now compared to pre-pandemic which is great to see."