The Indian-inspired Edinburgh cafe which has kept its doors open throughout the coronavirus lockdown

An Edinburgh cafe has stayed open during lockdown by providing an Indian-inspired delicatessen service for takeaway and home delivery.

Once a traditional cafe in Leith, The Clock on the Shore cafe has gained a new lease of life since Jharna Adwani teamed up with owner Terry Moore to inspire the cafe's menu by including Indian dishes - and both of them are now working round the clock to keep their business going during the Covid-19 crisis.

Jharna said: “Both Terry and I have not had a single day off work since lockdown was announced because we can’t afford to pay for any staff at the moment which has been tricky but together, we’ve managed to pull through."

Since leaving her home city of Pune, India and joining The Clock Cafe two years ago as a waitress to pay for her Edinburgh Napier University expenses, Jharna has become co-owner with Terry and has helped the business develop.

The new delivery scooter being used for The Clock Cafe's delivery service.

In lockdown, she is selling bags of her Bombay Chai company tea at their Indian deli counter as well as making the café’s popular Indian-inspired breakfasts and other house favourites.

She added: “I never thought people here would want chilis in their breakfast, but they love it.

“Indian food has gone down really well with The Clock Cafe's customers and the response to us being open in lockdown has been great.

“It’s amazing to see the smiles and the sense of normalcy a wee cup of coffee and roll can bring to someone.”

Terry said: “Jharna has really helped make the business what it is today, and we’ve got a great working relationship and now we’re working away together coming up with all these new ideas during lockdown.

“We went to Bombay together in February this year which was great for exploring and being inspired by all sorts of dishes which we could implement into our menu.”