Trader of the Week, The New Bookshop in Cockermouth has been keeping customers occupied during lockdown.

Catherine Hetherington of The New Bookshop on Main Street Cockermouth has delivered books and ordered them in for collection whilst shops have been closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with non-essential shops now allowed to reopen, she can welcome customers old and new back into the premises.

Catherine said: “It’s been hard work but I was happy to do it. It’s nice now that we’re open again that we can see our regular customers.”

Services have gradually returned to normal, the supplier initially ordered books to the customer’s home, the shop was later able to order them in and deliver them or make them available for collection at the door.

Catherine has provided a valuable service while customers spend more time at home.

The first week of trading following the lockdown was done with a table at the door but Catherine can now let customers come into the shop again.

“It’s been helpful for people’s mental health.”

And she has actually grown closer to her customers despite the time in lockdown.

“I’ve had some really lovely conversations with people, I have a bit more time to speak.”

Catherine said: “We’ve been here for a long time, we tried to make the shop a bit of a destination.”

In normal circumstances, customers would be able to enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat in the shop.

“It’s a bit different at the minute but we’re still here.”

The shop has been open since 1968 and it was established by Catherine’s parents. Catherine and husband Steven took over at the shop in 2007, steering the business through floods and now the Covid-19 pandemic.

Catherine said: “We’ve all been through the flooding, it’s helped us in a way to be more resilient, people in Cockermouth know things come right in the end.”

For more details on the bookshop's services during the pandemic, visit their Facebook page.

We want to hear your nominations for the next Trader of the Week. Let us know about businesses in your area who are going the extra mile.