DEDICATED bakers, who are fighting the odds with a small army of staff, said the bakery could survive these difficult times if people “stick to the rules”.

David Smith, who owns De’aths Bakery, in High Street, Manningtree, said he has reduced opening hours as well as his staff to maintain safety amid the coronavirus outbreak.

But the 57-year-old has no plans to close during the pandemic and has managed to organise home deliveries for people who are self-isolating.

It is these deliveries to residents which are keeping the family run business going.

He added: “The shop is open for a few hours in the morning, allowing one person inside and we’ve put in place serious measures.

“We implemented the procedures in the shop before we were told to do so by the Government and we tried to get ahead the game before the lockdown.

“We have only one staff member serving and one taking payments, but we are trying to have contactless payments to avoid cross contamination.

“As long as everybody is considerate, we will be sustainable.”

Mr Smith added his staff and small army of volunteers are superb and are doing a great job.

“By coming to work and doing deliveries they are most at risk and we’re grateful for them,” he added.

“As long as everybody is healthy, we will continue trading.

“Even though customer numbers have reduced, people buy in larger quantities.

“We want to get going just for them and to brighten somebody’s day.”

The baker, who has run the bakery for 35 years, said he is monitoring the situation closely.

His wife, Tanya Smith, has organised box deliveries going to Colchester Hospital and so far they have covered 12 wards to support NHS staff.

“We’re giving them as much support as we can, to try to help as much as possible and keep frontline workers’ spirits up,” Mr Smith added

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