CATERERS at Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Musselburgh have been part of support efforts on campus and in the wider community during lockdown.

BaxterStorey, the university’s catering services partner, has been helping charities and community groups.

Julie Smith, general manager, and her team have been operating a pop-up shop and takeaway from Maggie’s Bar and Cafe in the Students’ Union throughout lockdown, keeping students and local residents stocked up with essential household items.

They also joined forces with the Students’ Union, student support service ResLife, and the University and College Union branch to put together 110 wellbeing packs for students living in university accommodation.

And BaxterStorey and the university have been supporting Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts, a social enterprise which produces packs of hot meals, fruit and vegetables for vulnerable groups.

Davie Beattie, one of the BaxterStorey chefs, has been helping to cover shifts in the kitchen at the Carberry Residential Home near Musselburgh.

A university spokesperson said: “Davie’s support has been invaluable at this time due to some of the home’s kitchen staff being in the shielding group or having to self-isolate.”

Julie said: “I feel incredibly privileged to have such a committed and passionate team and to have been afforded the opportunity to support the local community.”

Sarah Whigham, acting head of commercial services at QMU, said: “I’m so proud of everything that Julie and the BaxterStorey team have done to help the local community in these challenging times.”