THOSE will a sweet tooth will have somewhere new to visit in Hereford when non-essential shops re-open next month.

Mama's Fudge is set to open in 3 Capuchin Yard, Church Street on April 12.

Despite being classed as an essential shop founder Laura Barber felt it was right to only run a click and collect service until next month.

"There has been a lot of bad news recently so I wanted to share some good news," she said.

"We took over the lease in February and have been getting the shop ready.

"We are taking orders through click and collect. As a food shop we are allowed to open, but I don't feel we are essential so wanted to do the right thing and just run a click and collect service for now.

"We will open alongside the other non-essential shops on April 12."

Miss Barber said that her love for cooking started with her foster children.

"I used to foster children for the local authority," Miss Barber added.

"I used to use cooking as a way of teaching children and also encouraging independent skills.

"Cooking also helped the children to feel part of the family.

"I recently had a long term placement leave after three years and I felt lost.

"After cooking for my family and friends the business grew by accident."

Miss Barber also wants to support the local community and other business owners.

She was the founder member of Herefordshire Independent Businesses (H.I.B) which is a networking team of like-minded local business owners in the Herefordshire area.

"We sell fudge as retail but I like to think the business has a heart and that our customers support that," added Miss Barber.

"We have had a lot of support from customers who want to by from a local businesses and keep coming back to buy gifts for others.

"As businesses we have all been working together and hopefully when we're allowed to open our town will be a great place to shop.

"Our customers do feel good buying local rather then online."