Alsager Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these local businesses and organisations over the coming weeks in a feature called 'Up Close in Alsager'.

We caught up with Claire Canning, of H.O.P.E Retail and Fancy-Pants, an Alsager business which is run from her own home.

It was amazing to see the variation of gifts and wealth of fancy-dress options Claire has at her disposal, there really is a costume for any theme or occasion.

Claire makes you feel safe in what is a Covid-19 secure environment, and with the cold weather beginning to take its toll, the offer of a nice warm cup of tea was just too enticing to turn down.

Instead of shopping at big retailers, one thing Covid-19 has brought is the value in shopping local and supporting businesses that we didn't even know were right under our noses.

After starting out in Haslington, at the very long-established Fancy-Pants fancy dress shop, Claire moved into Alsager and extended her gift, cards and interiors lines.

After purchasing Fancy-Pants, the lease at the two-storey premises located on Crewe Road for 23 years, came to an end in August last year.

Instead of renewing the lease, Claire bravely decided to embark on a new chapter and opted to find a new premise in a different location.

However, with potential locations at a premium and the business having an online presence, Claire decided to work from her home at 126 Sandbach Road North, Alsager, until the right opportunity presented itself.

In February, Claire opened her store in Leek, but it was only weeks later that the country was placed into national lockdown.

After coming to a mutual agreement with her landlord, Claire decided to walk away from Leek after just eight weeks.

Claire said: "It was a very nice location, but it didn't work out. It was a very difficult and uncertain time, but we just had to dig in and accept it."

Since March, Claire has set up once again from her Alsager home and offers a one-to-one shopping facility alongside a free local delivery service on orders above £15.

With Halloween on the horizon, Claire believes families are eager to host their own little themed parties but accepted it would not be on the same "massive scale" compared to pre-Covid times.

Claire added: "It's going to be difficult for children not being able to trick or treat, but I think we will see more families have their own little Halloween parties."

It is the little finishing touches that make all the difference and Claire stocks thousands of accessories and props to complete your look. Wigs, hats, shoes, jewellery even, to give your outfit that extra charm. Lenses, face paints, hairspray, latex make up too.

Hope Retail are official stockists of Gisela Graham (cool children's gifts), Biggie Best (quality homewares and cottons), Candlelight (beautifully scented Candles and Diffusers), Zilly (cashmere scarves, wraps, hats and gloves) and many, many more fabulous, ethically sourced, UK and Fairtrade brands.