A LOCKDOWN fayre set up to help Evesham businesses might be for life and not just for Christmas according to its organiser.

Vicki Baker of The Hair & Beauty Hub, Swan Lane, set up a Facebook group dedicated to showcase the best of the town’s independent businesses when the second round of Covid-19 restrictions hit at the end of October.

Since then more than 800 prospective customers have liked the Evesham’s Virtual Christmas Fayre page which features some 40 sellers, some of which have offered prize draws, and the swift nature of the growth in interest has inspired Mrs Baker to utilise the page beyond the festive period.

She said: “I was back in lockdown and looking for ways to turn around my business with the skin care and make up side of it.

“The idea was to do something for Evesham, for local businesses here and villages around us to sell what we can.

“There are crafters on there, people who do personalised things, flower arranging, everyone in the local business community.

“Many of the fayres are supporting people everywhere but we wanted to put one together for Evesham and Wychavon and I think it could be another avenue for businesses.

“I am back open now but I’d expect us to be back in lockdown come January, if not before so it is a way of getting out there.

“Over the past month it was what I did, I sat here organising Zoom parties and pamper sessions so the group has definitely helped me, I don’t what I’d have done otherwise.

“Meeting new people through the business side of it, we have all spoken with each other and once Christmas is done I think I am going to open it up into a bit of a networking group.

“We want to get the message out there to buy local and support local businesses, that is what all of this is about.”

The group can be found by searching Evesham’s Virtual Christmas Fayre on Facebook. Prospective sellers should get in touch with the admin on the page.