A SOCIAL media site set up to help Warrington’s hospitality sector in incredibly difficult times has picked up a huge following in just six months.

Fairfield resident Alex Farrington has grown her Instagram page Warrington Foodies from zero to more than 6,000 followers since July.

The former Lymm High student’s aim is to increase awareness of the town’s independent food and drink venues and encourage people to support local by publicising takeaway and delivery services during lockdown.

Alex, who has a background in marketing, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the response it has received. I get so many recommendations from followers on where to try next. This feels very rewarding and reassuring as it means the page is doing what it is set up to do.

“It takes a lot of hard work to run the page, but I am passionate about supporting the town. I am proud to be from Warrington and feel there is so much to shout about. This is what I am trying to convey through my page.”

One of the regular features on Warrington Foodies is a ‘meet the owner’ where the focus is on the person or team behind a business.

Alex, 29, added: “The aim is to try and put a face to the business, so that people can see that when they support local, they support a real person or family who are passionate about what they do.

Warrington Guardian:

Rob Bamford, from Dick's Bean Bar, from Warrington Foodies' 'Meet the owner' series

“Coming from a food marketing background, I have a lot of experience with social media and understand the impact it can have in terms of raising awareness of, and supporting businesses.

“I felt there was a gap for a page like this in Warrington and given the pandemic – and the impact this has had on the hospitality industry especially – I wanted to do something to help.

“I love Warrington and feel like there is so much to offer, from small independent hidden gems, cafes, takeaways, independent makers and bakers, through to our bigger chains, Warrington’s food and drink scene is amazing, and is constantly evolving.

“It has so much to offer and I want to do my bit to help keep it thriving.

“I’ve built so many relationships with people in the food and drink sector in Warrington and now count many of them as friends.

“It’s so rewarding when a post on the page results in a positive response for a business.”

Alex also wanted to help redress the balance as she feels Warrington’s scene is under represented compared to the likes of its bigger neighbours, Manchester and Liverpool.

The success has also inspired her to launch a sister page – Warrington Vegans – when lockdown lifts.

She said: “With so many longstanding hospitality businesses and so many exciting new openings such as The Cookhouse at the market, Warrington has such a wide offering both in the town centre but also in neighbouring areas such as Orford, Padgate, Stockton Heath and Lymm. The page exists to support all Warrington food and drink businesses, small, medium and large – there is a lot to celebrate in our town.”

To follow Alex, go to @warringtonfoodies on Instagram