A Uttoxeter restaurant is already planning to deliver Christmas cheer to those who need it most this festive season.
Lowes on Carter Street will be handing out more than 200 three-course Christmas dinners completely free of charge, no questioned asked. They even come with a Christmas cracker, card and presents for the children.
Chef George Lowe, who runs the restaurant with his wife Jemma launched the community scheme a number of years ago now, before Lowes opened in 2023.
Last year 200 meals were prepared, cooked and delivered to people who needed them across Uttoxeter. This year, with cost-of-living pressures worsening, the couple who grew up in Uttoxeter expect to deliver even more.
George who has worked internationally, previously owning a consultancy business that opened restaurants and cooked for the rich and famous, says coming back to his roots and giving back to the community he grew up in, means more than anything.
George said: “2025 has been tougher than ever financially for many people. The cost-of-living crisis has got worse and food prices are rising. People are struggling mentally, physically and financially, that’s why this year, Jemma and I feel it’s more important than ever to give back.
“We don’t ask questions. It could be that people simply can’t afford to cook Christmas dinner, it could be that someone is spending their first Christmas alone because they’ve lost someone close – whatever the reason they don’t have to tell us, we will help.
George added: “Growing up, Christmas was the most magical time for my family and Christmas Dinner was the most important meal of the year – it still is for some, but for others it can be an added stress or burden. To do our bit and give back to the community who have supported us, makes us immensely proud. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when we deliver the meals is the happiest part of the year for us, nothing else comes close.”
Jemma says the idea for the Christmas community meal came as a result of needing to get to George’s cousin’s wedding, in the Peak District She explained: “We were driving to Buxton for the wedding, and the weather was treacherous. It was blizzarding and we didn’t think we would make it because of the snow.
Jemma, who is also a musician added: “George said he needed karma to get us there and randomly said, if we make it, I want us to cook 50 community Christmas meals. Thankfully we made it and so that’s what we did. It was way before we opened the restaurant, so it was all hands-on deck, and we did it. Year on year we’ve cooked more and more meals and it’s become incredibly important to us and the Lowes team.”
To find out more about Lowes go to www.lowesoncarterstreet.com or call 01889 227355.
If you would or your family are struggling this year and would benefit from a Lowes Christmas Dinner, or you know someone who would please email: info@lowesoncarterstreet.com
Lowes, who pride themselves on sourcing and using the best in local products, cook everything on site and have a Google star rating of five, with more than 400 five-star reviews. Currently employing eight, Lowes have exciting plans in the pipeline, so watch this space for details.
