Falkirk firm's 'Mighty Booth' allows businesses to keep trading

A nifty bit of design and manufacturing from a local sign maker has provided scores of food outlets, takeaways and shops with a novel way of continuing to serve customers during the current COVID-19 lockdown.
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Homefront Signs Ltd, in Boyd Street, Falkirk, have been creating doorway serving booths which businesses can fit in their entrance to serve customers as safely as possible.

Steven and Gary Differ, James McLeish and the team have been working hard to ensure takeaways in the Falkirk and beyond can remain open.

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James said: “The First Minister was delivering her lockdown speech last week and hadn't even finished it when we started work on our new prototype COVID-19 Doorway Serving Booth.

The Mexican Tex Mex Bar and Grill, in Grahams Road, Falkirk is just one of businesses which the Homefront Signs doorway booth has allowed to continue serving customers during lockdownThe Mexican Tex Mex Bar and Grill, in Grahams Road, Falkirk is just one of businesses which the Homefront Signs doorway booth has allowed to continue serving customers during lockdown
The Mexican Tex Mex Bar and Grill, in Grahams Road, Falkirk is just one of businesses which the Homefront Signs doorway booth has allowed to continue serving customers during lockdown

“We designed it to help keep our local takeaway businesses operating as close to normal as possible, since, with the new guidelines, click and collect inside the shop is now illegal.

“This would normally mean delivery only, which would have meant businesses having to hire more drivers, source vehicles and pay for them to have business insurance.

“It would also result in congested kitchens, longer waits for customers deliveries, and frustration for the loyal local walk in customer traffic who live nearby, having to order and wait on a delivery.

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“Our booths mean the customer can call in, place and order to collect, and without entering the premises, they can collect their meal in a safe, efficient and socially distant manner at the doorway of their favourite takeaway.”

A Homefront Signs team member hard at work creating another doorway serving boothsA Homefront Signs team member hard at work creating another doorway serving booths
A Homefront Signs team member hard at work creating another doorway serving booths

The first booth prototype was assembled in only a few hours, with Homefront Signs’ near neighbour, the Mexican Tex Mex Bar and Grill in Grahams Road the recipient of the first model, which came complete with the resaurant’s logo.

"We took a picture of the booth and posted it on Facebook,” said James. “It was like a firework going off – our phones, e-mail, website and Facebook page were inundated with enquiries.

“And it was not just from local businesses either – takeaways from Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Perth, Manchester and Newcastle all wanted our new product.”

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Even before the creation of the doorway serving booth, Homefront Signs was producing COVID-19 related items for NHS Forth Valley and businesses – including protective screens, signage, floor stickers and face masks

James said: “We have been fortunate to be staying open and kept busy.”

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