Up Close is an interview series for Biddulph Nub News, talking to local people about their businesses, hobbies, or anything else they want to chat about!

In the latest instalment of Up Close we spoke to Biddulph's Mandy Cooper about her business of making and selling face masks during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mandy worked as a bridalwear seamstress, but after weddings were cancelled and work disappeared as the country was thrown into lockdown, she now makes a living from her Mandy's Masks business.

Read the interview below...

Tell me a bit about your previous work as a seamstress - what was the job like?

"I used to own the Mandy Elizabeth bridalwear shop in Biddulph for 20 years, designing and making wedding and prom dresses. I sold it four years ago as I wanted to spend more time with my family and not have to work Saturdays anymore.

"For the past four years pre-lockdown I worked as a seamstress altering wedding and bridesmaid dresses.

"I love working with brides and have been very happy working alongside Swan Brides in Congleton altering their brides wedding dresses. I'd usually be extremely busy, especially between February and September."

I imagine there was a big mix of emotions going through your mind as lockdown came in. How did you feel?

"When lockdown was announced in March Swan Brides had to close and all weddings for March and April were postponed. I'm self employed so it was a shock.

"Through some of my contacts I helped to source fabrics to be donated and distributed to help in making of scrubs."

Did you hear many stories of brides having to cancel or postpone their big day due to lockdown? What was it like for them?

"The shop reopened on July 6th and when I went into work and saw my dress rail full of wedding dresses dated April, May and June all still there hanging on my rail.

"Each dress was for a bride that had to cancel or postpone their wedding, it was heartbreaking. It was as if time had stood still.

"Some of these brides had rearranged for August, September and October but have since had to postpone once again."

How did the idea come about for you to start making face masks?

"I would say 80% of my work had disappeared for this year.

"I have a couple of friends who are nurses and have worked throughout on the Covid wards, and as the clinics started to reopen at the hospital they suggested I make some masks as they had been told that they would be advised for all patients.

"They had been wearing disposable ones, and they said they liked the idea of reusable, washable ones."

How is your new business going so far?

"I made a few for friends and family and then the Government announced they were making them compulsory for people to wear them on public transport and shops - the demand suddenly took off.

"I set up a Facebook page Mandy's Masks to coordinate my orders and they have been selling really well."

What kinds of designs and styles are proving most popular?

"The design has been tweaked a few times and is now a really good fit, triple layered with a soft nose wire and adjustable ear elastics.

"One of the most important facts about reusable face masks they are far more environmentally friendly than the disposable ones.

"I have stylish fabrics to suit ladies gents and children, plain colours suitable for schools or the office and lots of fashionable prints too."

As lockdown eases are you hoping to get back to your bridal work, or are you happy to continue with the masks?

"I still have a few brides who are determined to get married this year.

"Hopefully when Covid has been beaten and masks will no longer be needed I will be able to get back to my brides.

"2021 is booked to be a bumper year for weddings, hopefully Covid free."

And finally, what do you think of the Biddulph area and the local community?

"I'm Biddulph born and bred, married with two teenage sons and Henry the dog.

"I've lived in Biddulph all my life and ran my shop for 20 years, it's a brilliant town with a fantastic community spirit."

Do you have a business, hobby or opinion you would like to talk about? Let us know, and you could be in the next featured article! Feel free to message us on Facebook or email [email protected] with your idea.