Just how often do you shop locally for food and drink, unique gifts and treats from across the Winchester district? You may not be able to visit in person, but now is the perfect chance to rediscover what is made in the Winchester district and try out local delicacies – from English sparkling wine and gin to lavender soap, watercress and much more.

Supporting local communities has never been more important and Winchester City Council is pulling out all the stops to help promote our locals shops who are still ‘open for business’ during this latest lockdown.

The council has created a dedicated page on their Visit Winchester website which details shops across the district that are offering online shopping, click and collect and delivery direct to you. So if you’re a shopaholic desperate for a shopping trip, or if you need to find a gift for that lockdown birthday, take a look at https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/support-local/ for details of independent shops from across the district.

You might even discover a new boutique that is perfect for unique gifts right up your street. The council has been working with retailers in the market towns of Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham, Denmead, Alresford and Whiteley as well as high street businesses to showcase their offer to even more shoppers. You’ll find your favourite big name brands JoJo Maman Bébé and Next open for click and collect at Whiteley.

If you’re looking for some new family activities to pass the time why not try your hand at a bit of magic? Order your tricks from Merchant of Magic in Bishop’s Waltham by phone or via their Facebook page and, as if by magic, they will reply with a collection time. Or keep the kids entertained with craft packs from Bella Crafts – you might even be tempted by one for adults too. Take a look at their online shop then simply click and collect. You can also buy gift vouchers that can be used to buy kits or for courses/craft workshops when they re-start. Look out for their online workshops too.

Or if you are looking for a good read take a look at Laurence Oxley’s new online bookshop in Alresford. P&G Wells also has an online shop and customers can order by email or phone for collection and delivery.

Just because we are spending a lot of time at home right now doesn’t mean we should automatically reach for the cosy joggers. If you are missing the thrill of a shopping trip, Luvvit in Bishop’s Waltham can still bring this experience to you direct in your home via a VIP Facetime walk around the shop.

We don’t need any excuse to relax and pamper ourselves and Hebe Beauty Salon is here to help with their online beauty tutorials. Their facial at home kits are perfect for tired parents looking for a treat or stock up on beauty items from key brands such as Decleor, Jessica, Mii Cosmetics, Caci and St Tropez. If you live in Denmead they’ll deliver to you for free.

If you need a birthday present Cornflowers in College Street has a wonderful online shop featuring stylish and inspirational gifts. Or choose from beautiful and carefully chosen toys, art and crafts and gifts at great prices from The Toy Box in Bishop’s Waltham and Alresford – they’ll even wrap them for you. The Toy Box is selling products via their website with free click and collect or you can get free next day local delivery if you spend over £10. Local delivery will be with their electric car so environmentally friendly too.

Thrill someone special with a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered direct to their door. Or why not just treat yourself and brighten up your own home. Sarah Guild Floral Design in Wickham specialises in freshly made bouquets, house plants, arrangements and online workshops.

And don’t forget, if you’re looking for a slightly different gift or just want to cheer someone up why not treat them to a gift voucher for a day out that they can enjoy later in the year? If your family is a lover of animals Marwell Zoo’s annual membership or an animal experience could be the perfect gift experience. Or send your friends to a parallel universe at ClueCapers and let them take on an adventure in this quirky and unique immersive experience.

Chocaholics can shop online at The Wickham Chocolate Shop and get free local delivery on the finest Belgian chocolates and indulgent gift sets. Or if you can’t wait that long then collect your order at Heming and Co hardware store in Wickham. If you aren’t local then items can be posted for a cost.

If all the extra time at home has unlocked your creative skills and you’ve taken to up-cycling and giving an old piece of furniture a new lease of life, then you’ll love the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ available to buy online, via email or telephone and ready to click and collect from J’adore La Maison in Wickham.

Or if you’d rather leave the design for your latest home improvement project to the experts take a look at Alresford based Interior Style’s online shop where you can still access their bespoke Interior design service and home décor.

And if your trusty appliance decides to break down then Ron Upfield – the family-run, friendly electrical retailer located in Bishop’s Waltham sells everything from everyday essentials including batteries, bulbs and vacuum bags to larger white goods such as freezers which you can either click and collect or have delivered direct to you.

Please remember to follow the official government advice on COVID-19 and if you do need to venture to the shops, please stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times, wear a mask when required inside, use antibac regularly when out and about, and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Help us to support our local businesses and shop online.