A mum-of-four from Chalford took over Kendrick Street Deli and gave it a new name and style on Friday, despite lockdown three putting a strain on businesses.

Claire Cappell, 47, opened the Little Ginger Deli and Café on Kendrick Street after the previous deli owners retired.

She has entered the hospitality sector at a time when almost 300,000 people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, accounting for over a third of all job losses between February and November, according to the Office for National Statistics.

“A lot of my friends thought I might be crazy taking over in Covid times,” said Mrs Cappell.

“It is a really good business. If it had been just a café I would probably have been more wary, but the fact that it’s a the deli and I'm learning something totally new really interested me."

She said quiet periods during lockdown would give her space to learn the ropes, although she has already steered the old business through the busy pre-Christmas period.

Mrs Cappell, who has four daughters, said: “I’m 47 and I’ve got to the stage where my youngest is 16 and in eighteen months’ time she’ll be off to university as well. I’ve always done jobs to fit around them and now it is time for me really. I think it’s quite exciting.”

Little Ginger Deli and Café is stocked full of local goods, including coffee from Gloucester and Cheltenham cheeses.

Customers can treat themselves to homemade quiches and soups every day, as well as deli platters of fruits, pate and pretzels on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The deli stocks gins, wines and beers, and will continue to serve its popular Hobbes bread sandwiches.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, customers cannot sit in the café but may get takeaways, and delivery is available for those who are shielding.

Mrs Cappell plans to serve salad boxes when summer approaches and hold events in the cafe once restrictions are lifted.

The deli is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday and you can order over the phone on 01453 790664 or on Facebook @littlegingerdelicafe.