PUBS, restaurants, florists and other businesses have changed their approaches in order to continue offering their services during the coronavirus outbreak.

With recent announcements from No.10 downing Street warning people to avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres and advising individuals to work from home if they can, businesses have began offering new services to the public.

The Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has confirmed that planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the current Covid-19 crisis.

As a result, many businesses across the conurbation, including, The Woolpack Inn in Sopley, Dirty Vegans in Boscombe and Ristorante Barolo in Winton, have begun offering door-to-door delivery services.

Some, including Lakeside Fish and Chips and Smokey's Flame Grilled Burgers, both in Poole, are offering discounts for NHS staff and care workers.

Takeaway companies have continued offering the same services on online food delivery apps such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.

The Old Thatch in Wimborne, supported by its social media agency South Coast Social, distributed 20 free takeaway meals prepared by the restaurant’s chefs for vulnerable individuals self-isolating in their homes through an appeal on social media on Tuesday night.

Landlord Nicholas Pestana said: "We drove to 20 different addresses to make sure people who couldn't get out of the house could still have a good meal.

"We have started doing takeaways at the pub so we wanted to promote that and also offer a random act of kindness to those who need help.

"The pub trade is really struggling but we want to help build community spirit because that is the most important thing at this moment in time."

Butchers and bakers have also profited from new delivery services and increase demand.

Chris Watson butchers in Highcliffe are now opening extra hours to provide fresh meat products, as well as free deliveries for orders over £20.

Country Food in Poole have also made a range of meat hampers for customers, with free delivery for orders over £30 in Dorset.

Shelley’s Bakery in Highcliffe sold near 200 loafs on Tuesday and had workers baking bread for 20 hours over Tuesday night in order to keep up with demand.

Shop manager Sue Read said: “All the elderly people are still coming out at the moment but if that changes, we are going to have to review what we are doing.

“There is a local hardware store that ahs said they might be able to help take bread out for us but we are still waiting to confirm that.

“George and Conner were up all-night baking bread and look pretty weary eyed today. These are uncertain times but while we are all well, we will keep operating.”

Tesco Express in Highcliffe’s fresh deliveries have increased by 40 percent in the last couple of days. Yesterday the supermarket received 14 cages of grocery stock including pasta and toilet rolls, and they will get these delivered four times a week.

Tesco’s distribution centre has taken on 2000 extra staff to help with the increased demand.

Flowers-By-Design florists in Highcliffe are determined not to let the coronavirus ruin Mother’s Day this weekend, announcing that the company are running “business as usual”.

The company have had to review their delivery procedure and have said: “To protect our drivers and recipients - Flowers will be placed on the doorstep, with a knock at the door. Our drivers will take a safe distance back allowing the recipient to retrieve the flowers. No signature will be required.”