CREWE businesses are gearing up for the start of the second national lockdown with plans for delivery services and online working.

While the hospitality sector and all non-essential retail will close at 00:01 GMT this morning (Thursday) many businesses are being as innovative as possible to maintain a level of trading during the month-long shutdown.

Therapy services such as osteopaths and physiotherapists, which are classed as essential medical services, are able to stay open.

For example, Crewe and Nantwich Osteopaths is open in Valley Road in Crewe and you can find details of opening times and how to book appointments at their web site.

Benny's Fish & Chips in Gresty Road says it will stay open as long as there is enough business. The chippie posted on social media: "Telephone orders are always welcome.....if you prefer not to come in the shop we will fetch the food to you outside the shop."

Fast food restaurant and sandwich shop Big Juices Baps have stocked up with puzzle books and small gifts to include in their deliveries from their premises in Meredith Street.

Vernons Fish Bar will be closing its Victoria Street restaurant, but will operate a takeaway service as long as there is demand.

Cleaning company Fawcett Fresh Carpet Cleaning Services is able to remain open under government guidelines and is available to clean carpets, rugs and dining chairs among others in homes.

You can find the firm here and its owner Davey Fawcett said: "I will be doing as I have down throughout lockdown, keeping my distance, wearing a face mask and cleaning down my equipment after each job. I sanitise my hands before and after each job but also in-between as well."

Pubs may be shutting but micro brewery Tom's Tap and Brewhouse is offering a click and collect as well as a delivery service from its Thomas Street base. Go to the business' online form here.

Crewe Alex will be running its club shop online with a limited staff handling telephone and email enquiries.

Charities have become accustomed to operating remotely and many did not reopen face to face services with the easing of restrictions.

Among those that did is lone parents charity South Cheshire CLASP, which will continue to offer face to face counselling to children and young people, while parents will be offered either telephone or on-line support.

The Wishing Well charity is providing a meal delivery service to clients through the lockdown from its Jubilee House base. Staff will also provide telephone befriending and essential shopping for the vulnerable.

You can contact the Wishing Well team on 01270 256919

Meanwhile, Leighton Hospital ward cleaner Laura Arrowsmith has issued a plea for anyone with friends or family on wards to get in touch with her.

Earlier this year Laura was included in a gallery of NHS portraits of lockdown heroes taken by acclaimed photographer Rankin when she told how she ran errands for patients and collected belongings to make their hospital stays as comfortable as possible.

She plans on doing the same again and has posted on social media: "Please remember I am here through the lock down if you have any friends or family in hospital during lockdown please inbox me and I will arrange to collect any gifts or belongings, even just a family photo to put on their bed side.

"We are all in this together and it's not nice not to have visitors with everything that is going on."

Laura can be contacted via her Facebook page here.

Remember Nub News is here to help you during the second national lockdown and if you run a business or charity and want to explain what services or products you are offering then get in touch.

Let Nub News know what you are doing so we can compile a list and spread the word. Email [email protected] with details of what you are doing or add your comments to the timeline here.

Stay safe and support each other.