Lawrence Tavern’s clever response to covid lockdown challenges

Owners Luke Many and Bec Alford are overcoming the challenges brought on by the lockdowns by using bit of creativity and the power of social media.

Co-owner of the Lawrence Tavern Luke Many says the one-litre tapped beer special during lockdown has been a popular purchase.

Thanks to a little creativity and a Facebook account the Lawrence Tavern continues to thrive amid the statewide lockdown.

While fortunate to still operate during restrictions, owners Luke Many and Bec Alford have had to overcome the challenge of moving food and beverage inventory with far less customer traffic allowed at the premises.

But, with a bit of imagination, the pair have made it work.

“We’re definitely back on the horse again and until we know exactly when this lockdown is going to end, we’re simply aiming to reduce our stock as much as possible while supporting our community and our suppliers at the same time,” Mr Many said.

Lawrence Tavern owners Luke Many and Bec Alford say their business continues to thrive during Covid-19 restrictions, even if no one is allowed to physically walk in its doors.

While most food hospitality businesses cancelled their orders upon hearing of the statewide stay-at-home orders, Ms Alford said for some purchases, like their regular order of oysters, they decided to forge ahead.

“We wanted to support our supplier who supported us through the past year,” she said.

“He would have gotten stuck with all those oysters, so we decided to buy them anyway and just offer them at a cheaper price to patrons to help the supplier out.”

Using the Tavern Facebook page, the pair advertised their $20 oyster takeaway special and take orders through the platform. While devout regulars will frequent the venue regardless of a lockdown, or even a flood, Mr Many said social media has also played a vital role in targeting a wider customer base.

Oysters have arrived. Pick up available from 4.30pm$20 a dozen

Posted by The Lawrence Tavern on Thursday, August 19, 2021

“Facebook for us is massive,” Mr Many said.

“Business-wise, if you don’t use it, you’re a fool because it’s free and everyone’s on it, so it’s the perfect thing to use to spread the word.”

Mr Many said a perfect example was their brand new Covid Crush Cocktail which sold out the night they posted about it on the Tavern Facebook page.

“We had some prosecco that we needed to get rid of because it wasn’t on our new wine list, so we used it to come up with this cocktail,” he said.

While initially offered for one night only, due to the huge response, there are plans to bring it back again soon.

But for those not so keen on cocktails, an old favourite from last year’s lockdown has returned: the one-litre tapped beer offer where customers bring their own container and fill it with their favourite beverage.

“The tapped beer has got to go and so far, it’s worked well offering it by the litre,” Mr Many said.

“Until we know exactly how long this lockdown is going to go on for, we’re just aiming to reduce as much as we can. Of course, the bigger beer like Great Northern, we’ll tap that again because they’re popular, but the ones that are hard to move, once we get them through, that’s it until lockdown ends.”

In the meantime, their regular weekly specials continue to dominate customer orders.

“We’ve still got the $10 burger night and Thursday schnitzel night where I think this week, we sold 275 schnitties and 120 burgers,” Ms Alford said.

“That just shows how much support this community has for us straight away.

“This lockdown has been hard on everyone, but what we love about this community is how much everyone pulls together.”