Families in Derbyshire will have the opportunity to claim free meals throughout February half term, thanks to a new scheme launched by an East Midlands housebuilder.
New homes builder, Miller Homes East Midlands, has partnered with popular Shipley café, Derby Lodge Tearooms, to provide free, warm lunches for local families in the area.
From Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th February, families facing hardship – compounded by the cost-of-living crisis and not receiving school lunches - can visit Derby Lodge Tearooms to collect a free hot meal to either take away or sit in and enjoy the surrounding Shipley Country Park. Customers will simply have to reference the Miller Homes meal initiative to receive their lunch.
A total of 20 meals will be available each day and will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis between 11am and 2:30pm. The dishes will include a selection of sandwiches or toasties with a variety of fillings. These include bacon, cheese and mushroom, Hawaiian, pizza-style with cheese and pepperoni, tuna, and a classic fish finger sandwich, all served with sides.
The initiative is a result of Miller Homes’ continued commitment to engaging with the local communities in which it builds, including local businesses like the Tearooms which is situated just a ten-minute drive from the housebuilder’s Smalley Chase development.
Thanks to the tearoom’s owner, Jayne Stevenson, and its status as a Community Interest Company (CIC), the business is regularly giving back to the Smalley community. As a CIC, the tearoom’s aim is to use its profits and assets for good and have the surrounding area as a core focus of the business.
Commenting on the partnership, Jayne, added:
“We are a small, community-focussed business and welcome the opportunity to support local families, especially during this difficult time. By partnering with Miller Homes to offer warm meals to those who needs them, we can be sure that people are getting the chance to enjoy a meal in a safe and friendly environment this half-term.
“As Derby Lodge Tearooms is a Community Interest Company (CIC), any profit we make automatically goes back into the local schools and community groups, so we are thrilled to be a part of this new initiative which goes some way to strengthen our existing offering to those in the neighbourhood.”
Alastair Parsons, area sales director at Miller Homes Midlands, added:
“We understand that due to the ongoing cost-of-living-crisis and the added pressure of school holidays, families across Smalley might be needing some additional support this February.
“We’re proud to be able to partner with a friendly, community café that is already so well-established in the local area, to offer residents some much-needed help – particularly as the winter weather continues to bite. We hope residents in Smalley enjoy the free meals.”
Derby Lodge Tearooms is open 9:30am – 3:00pm, Thursday – Monday and is located at Shipley Country Park, Heanor, DE75 7GX.
Full details of the meals available can be found below:
Sandwich/toastie served with salad garnish, coleslaw and crisps with the following fillings:
- Bacon, cheese and mushroom
- Hawaiian – Ham, cheese and pineapple
- Pizza-style – Tomato sauce, cheese and pepperoni
- Three cheese and red onion chutney
- Tuna and cheese
A fish finger sandwich served with iceberg lettuce, mayonnaise and a side of chips is also available.
To register your interest in Miller Homes’ Smalley Chase neighbourhood, click here and for details on other Miller Homes developments across the East Midlands region, visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk.