THE lucky winner of this week’s Guardian hamper will get to experience some of the businesses that have worked hard to adapt to life in the pandemic.

For sisters Susan d'Eprez and Paula Fitton, who run Loule Boutique, which is just off the A49 on Bridge Farm, the lack of footfall has been a problem, but with the Davenports Tearoom due to re-open at the end of the month, there is at least some hope for the future.

Susan said: "We've been going about six years now and to be honest things took off quite well from then.

"We offer classic clothing, aimed more at women in their late 30's onwards.

"Since lockdown we've been opening up just three days each week, but when the tearooms re-open we should hopefully see more people coming.

"There are several businesses located here and the footfall coming to visit one of them, will generally help us all.

"Although we do sell some items from our Facebook page, the vast majority of our business is carried out in the shop itself.

"We find that not everybody wants to do their shopping online, particularly for clothes, because they want to come in and engage in conversation an get a feel for the material on each item of clothing.

"I'm just hoping we don't have another lockdown."

The winner of this weeks hamper will get a £30 voucher to spend at the boutique, which at the moment is open on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10.30am-5pm.

They will also receive a shampoo and blow dry at neighbouring business, Karma Rooms, which is run by Julie Bruce.

She said: "I was one of the luckier ones really because I was able to open on July 4.

"As soon as I was allowed to I was working six days a week, trying to fit in my regular clientele, which includes more than 100 people.

"The only problem I've had to deal with is the fact that due to social distancing measures and guidelines I haven't been able to do as many people as I normally would at any one time.

"But we're quite fortunate here because I don't necessarily have to rely on a footfall because I have regular clients."

The lucky winner will also receive lunch or breakfast for two at Charlies Cafe on Witton Street, with drinks and cakes on the menu, up to a value of £20. There is also a manicure at Cheshire Beauty Barn, as well as two tickets to watch any film at Northwich Odeon, which re-opened its doors just a couple of weeks ago.

Other businesses offering prizes this week include Abda's, who are offering a coffee and cake for two, there is a meal for a family of four at Barons Quay venue Sticky Paws in the Flavour Forest, and last but not least, a box of cupcakes from Pretty Princess Cakes.