Hospitality company Parogon Group ran a ‘lockdown challenge' to boost morale among its naturally gregarious workforce while its restaurants were closed.

Friendships were maintained and a feeling of togetherness was fostered among furloughed staff, as teams from restaurants in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire vied against each other in everything from talent shows to keepie-uppie contests.

Other initiatives included mental health training courses, which were run online with mental health charity Mind, and a ‘Support in Adversity' channel for those with financial worries. More than 30 employees have used it to speak confidentially to management and many have received crisis loans.

Restaurant managers, some of whom were used to socialising with hundreds of guests a day, also felt the effects of lockdown and received regular check-ins from senior leadership. Managers have also received training on building resilience.

Demonstrating its belief that a successful business should give something back, Parogon extended its support during the pandemic to the local community.

Staff from Royal Stoke University Hospital could use one of its car parks and NHS staff were given priority when it set up a takeaway service. Parking space was also provided to local suppliers who had switched to trading from the rear of their vans and a donation was made to a local hospice from gift card sales.