Kelly Turkeys is setting up a drive-though turkey collection at its Essex farm, to ensure customers can collect their Christmas meat and adhere to coronavirus restrictions.
In normal years customers pass through a Santa’s Grotto created in one of the hatchery
rooms, enjoying mulled wine and mince pies before collecting their turkey.
“We know many customers regard collection of the turkey from the farm as a family event marking
the real start of their Christmas activities,” said Paul Kelly, managing director of Kelly Turkeys.
”We don’t want them to miss out because of the pandemic this year.”
Usually around 2,000 people come to the farm to collect their turkeys on December 23 and 24.
“Obviously because of Covid-19 our normal welcome wouldn’t be safe for our customers, so in
September we made the decision to make it a drive-through experience,” said Paul’s daughter Ella,
who joined the business in a marketing role during the summer.
“We’re still aiming to make it as festive as possible, with snow machines, music, Father Christmas,
mince pies, sausage rolls and mulled cider for customers to enjoy, while we put the turkey in their
car.”
