VULNERABLE and homeless people had hot food served from a horsebox as a big-hearted Worcester couple did their bit for the street cafe during the coronavirus crisis.

The couple between them run two Worcester businesses but despite their own challenges did their best to help the most needy during the pandemic, serving 76 meals from the horsebox outside the street cafe at Cadena in The Cross on Thursday evening. The kind gesture came courtesy of Laura Kavanagh, 34, of G&Tea based in the city’s Friar Street and her partner Andrés Flatt, 41, who runs the Horsebox Diner. The couple, kitted out in personal protective equipment, served burgers and fries, paying half each for the food. They hope it can become a regular, possibly monthly, feature of the street cafe.

Miss Kavanagh, a professional baker for 10 years, said: “They loved it. One of the people said it was a lot better than McDonald’s. They are really, really grateful. It was so nice to hear.”

She said the the food was all cooked fresh in the horsebox which all added to the theatre.

Mr Flatt said: “It was a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. All the people we helped were so grateful and so nice.”

He said his own business had 'ground to a halt' because of coronavirus and added: “The only thing we can really offer at the moment is our time.”

We have previously reported how Cadena in The Cross which only opened in October had been closed during the pandemic. The front was put to less conventional use as a street cafe serving hot food to those hit hardest by the pandemic.

The soup kitchens relocated to Cadena from April 6 this year so there was one safe place with CCTV coverage and regular police patrols to deter the small number of individuals using them to deal drugs or commit other crimes. G&Tea is still running an afternoon takeaway delivery service and some afternoon teas for pick-up. They organised 120 afternoon teas for delivery this week alone. Miss Kavanagh said: "It's all about adapting the business model we have to roll with the times."

However, because of the nature of her partner’s work at various big events she said ‘his whole summer has been cancelled’ but he hopes he may have some opportunities in October. Those who wish to order afternoon tea can do so by visiting gandteabakery.co.uk