LAUNCHING a new business right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown may not be at the top of everyone's agenda.

But that is just what Rogerstone-based Tin Can Kitchen has done.

The idea originally was that Tin Can Kitchen would be Newport’s first outdoor food court and bar, subject to planning permission being approved, on a site at Chartist Way, Rogerstone, near the Tiny Rebel Brewery.

But when the virus hit Britain the people behind the venture had to think again.

Head chef and co-owner of Tin Can Kitchen, Barry Fallon, said the business was now a 'street food inspired takeaway delivery service'.

Launched this week, the business is providing hungry residents of the area with Cajun-inspired burgers, sides and 'dough-it-yourself' pizza kits.

Tin Can Kitchen is based in a shipping container converted into a state-of-the-art food kitchen. It serves a packed menu of Louisiana-style Cajun burgers, New York-style thin-crust pizzas, as-well as make-at-home pizza kits and a range of tasty side dishes.

It also caters for vegans and vegetarians and has a separate children’s and gluten free menu.

Barry managed to successfully launch the business in its new form with some help from friends, family and the rest of the Tin Can Kitchen team.

He said: “The original idea for Tin Can Kitchen was pretty straight forward. Drawing from my experience of cooking and serving food in places such as Louisiana, Serbia and Greece, I wanted to provide the people of the Newport area with a new place to hang out, eat delicious street food from some of the best traders across Wales, and drink and have fun until the early hours.

"Unfortunately, I’ve had put that on hold for now, but the team and I were keen to do our bit for the local community, so we decided to open a takeaway and bring the street food experience to the people”

As the business grows, more street food-inspired dishes will be added to the menu, laying the foundation for the outdoor food court and bar, slated for a summer/autumn 2020 launch (subject to planning).

Once open, Tin Can Kitchen will be home to an array of artisan traders serving street food from kitchens in converted shipping containers.

Barry said: “The current pandemic has turned everyone’s lives upside down, so we felt compelled to pull together and do something for the local community the only way we know how - through food.

"We’re also in awe of the NHS, so a small lifetime discount of 20 per cent is the least we could do, to pay our respects and say thank you for all the hard work.”

In line with social distancing measures, all orders are made and packaged in a clean, safe environment; all delivery drivers are instructed to wear gloves, face masks and leave orders outside homes until collected by the customer.

Tin Can Kitchen is open Monday to Sunday, 5pm-11pm. All orders can be made via the company website at www.tincankitchen.co.uk