Gosport Premier shopkeepers cook up a storm of free Indian cuisine to help self-isolating neighbours

Following government measures, many elderly people have been told not to leave their homes unless it is absolutely necessary – such as getting food from the shops.

At the Wych Lane Premier corner shop in Bridgemary, Gosport, the owners are cooking Indian food for people to take home for free, helping others through the pandemic.

Supriya Namdeo, 29, has been busy cooking up a storm in the family kitchen.

She said: ‘I do a lot of cooking for the family, and with the coronavirus situation getting worse my husband and I wanted to do something to help.

‘We’ve got 6,000 houses nearby and a lot of the people in our community are vulnerable or elderly, so cannot get out to the shops.

‘There’s a lot of food that we have stored here and so it only makes sense to give some of that away for free.’

Customers coming into the store can pick up some food to deliver to their neighbours’ doorsteps, should they be unable to leave the house themselves.

Supriya has been cooking a variety of food, including bread and vegetable curry.

She said: ‘I’ve always wanted to cook for people – I never imagined it would be in an environment like this though.

‘I’ve been making as much as I can, and have been taking out some of the spicy ingredients for the sake of our neighbours.

‘The response has been amazing though; people seem to really like my food which is a good thing, and it feels good to know that we’re making a difference from our kitchen.’

Across the Portsmouth region, people have been pitching in to help out their neighbours wherever they can.

Supriya says everyone has an important role to play during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘My mother and father taught me to help other people as much as possible,’ she said.

‘It’s about being there for your community; everyone has something they can do for their neighbours.

‘I am glad we’re doing something and am blessed with so many friendly people in the area.’