HANDMADE crafters who were set to take over Wellington’s Pop Up Shop yesterday (Thursday) for four weeks are planning to beat the Covid-19 pandemic by operating an online click and collect service.

The town council-run premises were booked before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown.

But rather than give up, the nearly 40 local crafters involved in the enterprise decided to work within the rules which allow non-essential shops to trade on a click and collect or a delivery basis.

The project is being run by business partners Jo Alway and Alice Burns, who were among the first tenants of the Pop Up Shop before last Christmas.

The crafters were then forced to close early during their second hiring of the shop when the first national lockdown was introduced in March.

Mrs Burns, who runs Lotus Pond Creations, said: “The run up to Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for crafters and they can do so much trade that it helps them to get through the rest of the year.

“So, we wanted to still support them as much as possible and decided that rather than lose out all together we would offer click and collect so local people can still shop with us in a Covid-safe way.

“The technology allows people to shop from home safely and if anyone has mobility issues and cannot collect then we can also arrange delivery for them.”

Ms Alway, who trades as Always Lovely, said: “We are delighted that the number of crafters who are joining the initiative continues to grow and we have gone from over 20 when we started to almost 40 this time around.

“By carrying on with our period in the Pop Up Shop it also means the town council will get some rent from it when the place might otherwise be empty, and hopefully we can set an example for other businesses to use it in the same way.

Customers will be able to view the craft items stocked in the Pop Up Shop through a live Facebook feed and can choose and pay for them online before collecting from the doorstep.

The crafters are also fundraising for local youngster Cooper Patterson Bright, who was born four months premature. Cooper’s parents are fundraising for vital equipment to enhance his mobility.

‘Super Trooper Cooper’ raffle tickets are being sold from the shop and can also be obtained through the Handmade Pop Up Shop Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].

A draw will be made live on Facebook at 6 pm on Monday, December 7.