Bricks and mortar shops may be closed but there are still plenty of ways you can support local businesses.

While some have had to move on-line, others have branched out into a new world hoping to ride a wave of web traffic.

And while everyone wants to see shops stay open, we can still enjoy some retail therapy, treat our loved-ones, and keep our spend local.

Here's our pick of the local crop.

Mama Bakes Norfolk

Former pastry chef Marketa Littler is constantly thinking up new flavours and combinations for her range of hand-made truffles and fudges.

Norwich Evening News: They look gorgeous and taste even better - home-made chocolate and fudge is being prepared by Marketa Littler of Mama Bakes Norfolk.They look gorgeous and taste even better - home-made chocolate and fudge is being prepared by Marketa Littler of Mama Bakes Norfolk. (Image: Mama Bakes Norfolk)

The 26-year-old lives in Ormesby St Margaret and sells through the Hirst farm shop and at Tacons in Rollesby.

Norwich Evening News: Marketa Littler is working on a range of new flavours for her home-made chocolate and fudge. She is one of a growing number of entrepreneurs who have found success with an artisan, craft product during the lockdown.Marketa Littler is working on a range of new flavours for her home-made chocolate and fudge. She is one of a growing number of entrepreneurs who have found success with an artisan, craft product during the lockdown. (Image: Mama Bakes Norfolk)

Her bespoke boxes are also available to order.

The married mum, who has a young son Max, sources as much as she can locally and delivers for free in Norfolk and Suffolk. She said the business had got off to an "amazing" start since launching in December, with a focus on Fairtrade and organic products.

Norwich Evening News: Forget flowers, people are saying it with chocolates delivered to your door. These ones are completely hand-made by Marketa Littler in Ormesby St Margaret. Her new business Mama Bakes Norfolk has taken off during lockdown.Forget flowers, people are saying it with chocolates delivered to your door. These ones are completely hand-made by Marketa Littler in Ormesby St Margaret. Her new business Mama Bakes Norfolk has taken off during lockdown. (Image: Mama Bakes Norfolk)

Everything is handmade without moulds and boxes can be small or large, with people able to pick and choose the flavours they want.

Prices start at £5 for fudge.

Order through Instagram or Facebook or email mamabakesnorfolk@gmail.com.

Basicc Zero Waste

They do not come more local than Emily Dye at eco-friendly Basicc Zero Waste.

Based in Gorleston she supplies people she can cycle or drive to, basically the postcodes from NR29 to NR33.

Norwich Evening News: Emily Dye from Gorleston is helping people to live a zero waste lifestyle by making small changes for 2021.Emily Dye from Gorleston is helping people to live a zero waste lifestyle by making small changes for 2021. (Image: Emily Dye)

The married mum-of-one works full time while helping people to live a zero-waste lifestyle.

Norwich Evening News: A tooth brush is a simple zero waste swap that could make a difference and start your zero waste journey.A tooth brush is a simple zero waste swap that could make a difference and start your zero waste journey. (Image: Emily Dye)

And it is not just worthy cleaning products but lovely soaps and shampoo bars too.

Norwich Evening News: Some of the zero waste washing products that Emily Dye will hand deliver to your home on her push bike.Some of the zero waste washing products that Emily Dye will hand deliver to your home on her push bike. (Image: Emily Dye)

Gift boxes and starter packs are also available.

Order from the website here.

Wax Melt Central

What started out as a hobby has become a busy little one-person business for Hollie Cousins.

Norwich Evening News: Wax melts made in Norfolk by Holly Cousins are proving popular for any occasion or just for a treat.Wax melts made in Norfolk by Holly Cousins are proving popular for any occasion or just for a treat. (Image: Hollie Cousins)

The 22-year-old self-confessed craft lover got into making wax melts during a brief period on furlough from her job as assistant manager of an opticians. Persuaded by friends of family she could make a go of it she launched a few weeks ago.

She said she was taken aback by the success with many people ordering as gifts to send to people as a sweet-smelling boost during the pandemic and connecting to people they could not visit.

Norwich Evening News: Hollie Cousins is delighted that her new business Wax Melt Central has proved popular just a few weeks after launching.Hollie Cousins is delighted that her new business Wax Melt Central has proved popular just a few weeks after launching. (Image: Hollie Cousins)

Prices start at £1.80. She is based in Emneth, Norfolk.

Norwich Evening News: Norfolk-based Wax Melt Central only started at the beginning of 2021 and has already seen a huge demand for its products, especially from friends and family wanting to cheer up a loved-one by sending a scented gift.Norfolk-based Wax Melt Central only started at the beginning of 2021 and has already seen a huge demand for its products, especially from friends and family wanting to cheer up a loved-one by sending a scented gift. (Image: Hollie Cousins)

Order via Facebook or Instagram.

Be Happy Box UK

Norwich Evening News: Entrepreneur Elly Harnett has now launched a subscription service for her Be Happy Boxes.Entrepreneur Elly Harnett has now launched a subscription service for her Be Happy Boxes. (Image: Elly Harnett)

A hand-picked box of treats can be tailored for any occasion and posted worldwide from Elly Harnett's home in Great Yarmouth.

Norwich Evening News: Elly Harnett of Be Happy Box UK is helping people to send 'happy mail' from her home in Great Yarmouth with thoughtfully packed gift boxes which fit through a letter box.Elly Harnett of Be Happy Box UK is helping people to send 'happy mail' from her home in Great Yarmouth with thoughtfully packed gift boxes which fit through a letter box. (Image: Elly Harnett)

The 34-year-old started the business a few years ago following the death of her sister-in-law at the age of 35.

Born from a desire to spread some joy and connect with loved ones, helping people to send and receive some "happy mail" has proved a real tonic during lockdown.

Norwich Evening News: Be Happy Boxes contain up to ten items you have picked either for yourself as a treat, or a friend or loved-one.Be Happy Boxes contain up to ten items you have picked either for yourself as a treat, or a friend or loved-one. (Image: Elly Harnett)

Customers can choose from over 150 items including sweet treats, a mini tipple, wellbeing gifts and pamper items, as well as choose a colour theme and send it with a cheering hand-written message.

Hairdresser Elly has also just launched a subscription service for monthly treats.

Order via the website.

Twin Bakes

Norwich Evening News: Home-made sweet treats, packaged with personalised labels, are proving a hit during lockdown. They are made by twin sisters who live in Bradwell and Mattishall.Home-made sweet treats, packaged with personalised labels, are proving a hit during lockdown. They are made by twin sisters who live in Bradwell and Mattishall. (Image: Twin Bakes)

Who would not want a delicious brownie or cupcake wrapped in ribbon and delivered to their door?

Norwich Evening News: Twin sisters Rebecca and Bethany Sadler are spreading happiness in the form of cakes and brownies. Their new business sees them posting sweet treats all over the UK from their base in Bradwell.Twin sisters Rebecca and Bethany Sadler are spreading happiness in the form of cakes and brownies. Their new business sees them posting sweet treats all over the UK from their base in Bradwell. (Image: Twin Bakes)

Identical twin sisters Rebecca and Bethany Sadler have been busy sending postal treats all over the UK since setting up eight months ago.

The 24-year-olds, who work full-time at Aviva, grew up baking with their grandmother, inheriting her talent and deciding to make a go of it last year.

Now they spend their evenings and weekends fulfilling orders and helping people to send birthday treats to their loved ones.

Norwich Evening News: Some of the amazing creations made by Rebecca and Bethany Sadler of Twin Bakes. Their business, launched during 2020, is proving a success.Some of the amazing creations made by Rebecca and Bethany Sadler of Twin Bakes. Their business, launched during 2020, is proving a success. (Image: Twin Bakes)

As well as boxed brownies they make celebration cakes and themed treat boxes.

Rebecca, who is based in Bradwell, said: "The whole lockdown thing was perfect timing for us because people were wanting these kinds of cakes, especially the postal stuff."

Order through their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Get Glued

Mother and daughter combo Ali Kitson and Natasha Neal started making pebble and Scrabble tile gifts for family and friends.

Norwich Evening News: Shelves are among the most popular items made by Natasha Neal of Get Glued, a craft hub she has created with her mum Ali Kitson in Martham.Shelves are among the most popular items made by Natasha Neal of Get Glued, a craft hub she has created with her mum Ali Kitson in Martham. (Image: Ali Kitson)

Encouraged by the feedback they offered them for sale on Facebook Marketplace and were stunned by the response.

Get Glued could barely keep up with demand in the run-up to Christmas with homespun, personalised items with a flavour of the sea proving popular gifts.

Norwich Evening News: Mother and daughter Ali Kitson and Natasha Neal say people are loving their crafted shelves and seaside designs which they sell through their Facebook page Get Glued.Mother and daughter Ali Kitson and Natasha Neal say people are loving their crafted shelves and seaside designs which they sell through their Facebook page Get Glued. (Image: Ali Kitson)

Things are quieter now but Mrs Kitson, from Martham, a tutor who works with vulnerable adults, is looking forward to selling their wares - including Natasha's popular shelves - at fayres and fetes when lockdown eases.

Norwich Evening News: A driftwood wreath is among lovely, creative items made by Get Glued, based in Martham.A driftwood wreath is among lovely, creative items made by Get Glued, based in Martham. (Image: Ali Kitson)

Order through the Facebook page.

Norwich Evening News: Pebbles and driftwood are put to use in pictures and personalised artwork created by Get Glued in Martham.Pebbles and driftwood are put to use in pictures and personalised artwork created by Get Glued in Martham. (Image: Ali Kitson)