Lenzie deli falls foul of new covid rules

Billington’s has been told by East Dunbartonshire Council that under the latest covid restrictions, they cannot be considered as a cafe.

All restaurants are not allowed to operate under the new rules for the next two weeks.

The team at the deli, led by Mark and Sue Billington, posted their disappointment on their Facebook page.

They said: “So would seem, as our normal hours of operation extend to 8pm then we are not considered a café within the definition set out in the regulations.

“We are so disappointed and sorry to say that with immediate effect we can now longer offer sit in.

“We will continue to stay open to bring you takeaway and retail, until we can re commence on Monday 26th October. We will also still be offering our delivery service in G66.

“We have tried tirelessly to offer you a safe environment, and disappointed at this decision. Can we take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and kind comments.

“Stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.”

Team Billingtons@EDCouncil

Customer Andy Dickson tweeted his support for the deli and hit out at East Dunbartonshire Council

He posted: “@EDCouncil your decision to class @_Billingtons as a restaurant is wrong.

“It has resulted in the ONLY venue to meet indoors in Lenzie now being off limits.

“Use common sense and reverse this completely spurious subjective decision. Support folk in these difficult times.”

Billington’s was recently crowned winner of the Scottish convenience Stores UK “Local Legends” competition.

The local eaterie, described as an “East Dunbartonshire institution” scooped the top prize for going above and beyond for the community during the national lockdown.

They helped vulnerable members of the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As well as delivering food packages, the shop also diversified and extended the range of products it carried to better meet people’s needs.

Council boss Thomas Glen, said: “We recognise this is a very difficult and challenging time for local businesses and residents, however, the council is required to enforce the Scottish Government’s temporary health protection regulations and follow their associated guidance.

“The regulations state that licensed premises in protected areas, which include East Dunbartonshire, must close from 6pm on 9 October until 26 October 2020.

“Cafes are exempt and allowed to operate between 6am and 6pm, however, as a licensed premises which serves alcohol, has a range of menus and which normally trades beyond 8pm, Billington’s meets the criteria of an establishment required to close. Retail and take-away services can continue in line with current guidance.”

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is urging visitors to Campsie Glen to follow the biosecurity ‘Keep it Clean’ advice and help slow the spread of a deadly tree disease.

The Glen is one of several sites across Scotland that has recently been confirmed as having Phytophthora ramorum – commonly referred to as P.ramorum – which attacks and kills larch trees.

The FLS team in the area is now working hard to schedule a programme of felling works to remove affected trees at each of the sites but is calling on forest visitors to play their part and help stop it spreading further afield.

Andy Gallacher, FLS Community Ranger in the area, said;

“This is a horrible disease that can’t be eradicated – and the only way we have to slow its rate of spread is to fell the infected trees and those surrounding them.

“At Campsie, there won’t be any diversions because the affected larch are in the forest away from paths and the forest road – but that doesn’t mean that there’s no risk of spread because the spores that cause this disease can be carried to unaffected sites in mud and forest debris.

“That’s why we’re asking people to follow our ‘Keep it Clean’ advice and take a few minutes to brush or wipe off boots, bike wheels, tent pegs and even your dog’s paws before and after a visit to the Campsie Glen.

“Pests and diseases hitch a ride in mud and debris on shoes, paws and tyres, ending up in new forests where they can spread rapidly in environments with no natural resilience.

“We’re doing everything we can to tackle these challenges, but we need our visitors’ help too.”

Although felling work in Campsie will be off the beaten tracks and there will be no diversions, visitors will see plant health notices on site and are urged to follow the advice to ‘Keep it Clean’.

Andy added;

“Everyone working together to adopt new habits will have a positive impact on our forests, help to slow the spread of tree pests and diseases and buy the time to research and develop other actions that we can take to ensure the long term health of our woodlands.”

NB The headline image is not Campsie Glen and is for illustrative purposes only