How public's craving for lockdown treats has helped Northampton's St Giles Cheese stay on its feet

Steve from St Giles Cheese and his wife Caroline have been able to stay open throughout the lockdown.

Steve and Caroline at St Giles Cheese are looking forward to seeing their neighbours again.

The family-run deli in St Giles Street has been able to stay open since day one of the lockdown, along with a delivery service. In fact, everything about the shop from its size to its suppliers has made adapting to social distancing easier.

"I've always said how we've been very lucky to stay open," says co-owner Steve Ward. "In a way, we're almost back to normal.

Support local businesses and help Northampton get back on its feet after the lockdown.

"We've been able to run a one-in-one-out social policy for customers. It's just me and Caroline *and we live together, so we're able to run the store with just the two of us. The shop is small too which has kept costs down - if we were twice as big we wouldn't have been able to manage.

"Folks are looking for things to cheer themselves up with, like nice wine or gin or chocolates and cheese. Hopefully, we can provide that solution."

It means the deli has been able to tick along even when all of their neighbours St Giles Street had to close shop for the past two months.

But on June 15, businesses will get the go-ahead to reopen if they want to, and Steve and Caroline will get to see some familiar faces again.

It may be that only a handful of shops choose to open again in Northampton town centre this time next week, but it's up to residents to support them.

Steve said: "I personally try to shop local because I like to know where my money is going.

"Every pound you spend in one of the shops in St Giles Street will stay in the community, rather than disappearing and paying for somebody's yacht.

"Some people will just say that Northampton town centre is a dump - but if no one comes out to support businesses there will be no town centre at all."