GLASGOW shops and entertainment venues were among those battling the coronavirus pandemic with acts of kindness.

As Covid-19 continued to change the city’s way of life, there was a renewed focus on supporting NHS staff and the elderly.

City centre cafe Gordon Street Coffee has been handing out free bread and milk to the public.

Its staff posted a sign outside offering help as supermarkets continue to battle shortages of everyday items.

Dozens of Glasgow cafes have pledged help, including Piece in Finnieston, which has offered to give away free sandwiches to NHS workers in Glasgow.

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The sandwich franchise has now confirmed it will continue the scheme despite the announced closure of pubs and restaurants. 

Glasgow’s Piece is offering collection and delivery of its lunches for NHS staff. 

The franchise started offering a free coffee or sandwich to the “awesome” staff of NHS as a token of gratitude for their “hard work”. 

They announced on their Facebook: “We, unfortunately, can’t have any customers IN the shop. We can, however, support you for supporting us.”

Piece is encouraging NHS staff to pick up bigger orders of about 50 sandwiches for hospital staff who need it. 

The sandwich shop will also be contacting local food banks to offer them support during these hard times. 

The Facebook post added: “We’re aware of the backlash businesses face for not closing – rest assured we’re taking this extremely seriously.”

Piece assured customers they are following government guidelines and not allowing anyone to meet on the premises. 

Staff at the location are following health and safety standards. 

They will continue to offer delivery of sandwiches through Uber Eats.

Also backing health staff was Sainsbury’s, which has extended its elderly-only hour to include NHS and social care workers.

The supermarket will now dedicate an hour of shopping time, from 8am to 9am, to elderly, the vulnerable and health and care staff. 

Starting today, the golden shopping hour will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Sainsbury’s pledged to set aside an hour of its opening time for the elderly and vulnerable on Thursday, but are now extending that. 

Staff will need to show their IDs or pass when they visit during the special shopping hours. 

Tesco and Marks & Spencer have already announced they are giving health and social care workers priority shopping times.

The retailer is also consolidating its opening hours from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, in order to be able to restock shelves.

Sainsbury’s Local and petrol station and Sunday opening times will stay the same.

Meanwhile, as people in self-isolation look to stay busy, a Glasgow bookstore launched a rent-a-read scheme to provide access to books during the pandemic. 

The South Side’s Category is Books will be renting books out for £1 each with a weekly collection and delivery to your doorstep. 

The independent queer bookstore is ensuring that all precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus with the scheme. 

Each book cover will be cleaned and staff will be handling books with gloves.

Books will be taken “out of commission” for two to three days once returned to ensure there is no contamination. 

The idea was praised by Nicola Sturgeon who called it a “brilliant initiative”. 

Delivery and collection will be free and “probably on skateboard”, the store said. 

The popular Bongo’s Bingo also announced a plan to shake things up – and will provide a livestream of their usual evening of entertainment.

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Bongo’s – usually held in Glasgow’s SWG3 when it arrives in the city – will now provide a live stream on their Twitch service for fans and customers after recently having to postpone all shows.

Revealing the news on their social media channels, the company said: “Who’s ready to PARTY with us from the comfort of their living room?! YES… that’s right!! After huge demand we’re back on Twitch tonight fam!

“No bingo books required & it’s completely free!⁣ All you need to JOIN IN is: ⁣1 UK registered mobile, a pen & paper. Your fave snacks⁣, a bit of booze! Disco lights & glowsticks optional⁣.”