As the country's second national lockdown is coming to an end, another rule change means businesses in Kent will once again have to adapt the way they work.

Some businesses have sadly folded at the hands of the virus, while others have come up with innovative ways to keep their livelihoods going.

One couple from Maidstone even took the plunge and started their own business in the midst of it all.

Recently engaged Nik Barton 32, and Valda Sidlauskaite, 27, used the extra time on their hands to launch 'Cork and Cheese', a business which delivers bespoke platters and food hampers to people in Maidstone.

The couple had been thinking about starting a business for a while but it wasn't until April their idea became a reality.

Mr Barton said: "During lockdown we started making some cheese boards for family and friends as care packages and then we decided this is something we wanted to continue doing.

"All of our meats and cheeses are sourced locally and the breads are made by a local bakery.

"We even have vegan options so there is something for everybody that we can deliver straight to their door.

"People can order online and it's all cashless and socially distanced, which is something we never thought we would need to plan for but it has worked well so far."

The pair hope one day their efforts will help them achieve their dream of opening their first restaurant.

For one ice cream lady who delivers 250 varieties of desserts to people in Snodland and Maidstone, the changing rules have not stopped her making regular deliveries.

As soon as lockdown hit in March, Gemma Everest from Halling who runs Everest Ices, updated her website, turned off her chimes, and delivered bespoke creations directly to door steps.

She has worked all year round for the past three years in her custom made van, named Michael after her father, and didn't want the pandemic to change this tradition.

Miss Everest who runs the business with her 17-year-old son Bradley said: "In March I carried on with my deliveries because I had just built a website to enable people to order and pay online so they could have a fully contactless delivery.

"I was visiting children who had birthdays, I was delivering desserts ordered by grandparents to grandchildren, and writing personal messages on bags.

"The main difference is I didn’t chime at all.

"If I chime, I just get swarmed with people and I don’t want to put anyone at risk. This is why I choose to carry on with contactless deliveries."

The 38-year-old says she can't wait to chime again but until then, she will keep finding new ways to adapt to the Covid-19 guidance.

Takeaways have offered a vital lifeline to restaurants and pubs by allowing them to continue operating through lockdown.

One pub in East Malling took the changes in its stride and even started offering bitters, lager, ciders and stout in two pint takeaway vessels.

The King and Queen in New Road introduced a click-and-collect system that allowed customers to choose a time slot and pick up food and drinks to go, something it has never done before.

Managing director Wayne Curtis said: "In the first lockdown we didn't offer takeaway because nobody really knew what was going on but we decided to do it this time just to try and give something back to people in an isolating time.

"We have also decided to get a kick start on the festivities by offering takeaway mulled wine."

Yesterday Boris Johnson unveiled his Covid Winter Plan, explaining how tougher three-tiered regional measures will be introduced.

It is expected more areas across the country will be placed in tiers two and three which will have tighter restrictions to protect any progress made over the last month.

Pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen in tiers one and two - but will be forced to remain as takeaway-only service in tier three.

Mr Curtis hopes Kent will avoid tier three so he can welcome back customers on December 3.

Non-essential shops, hairdressers, personal care services and gyms will be allowed to reopen in all tiers and outdoor sports can resume.

This is welcome news for those in the health and beauty industry which has been hit equally as hard by the restrictions.

In Sittingbourne, the Julie Gamble Clinic in High Street says it is prepared for any outcome and has even moved some services online.

During lockdown the clinic received a lot of enquiries about skin issues from people wanting advice and products.

Instead of turning people away, Mrs Gamble decided to start telephone consultations, opened an online store, and set up a home delivery service so people can still get hold of specialist products.

Mrs Gamble said: "People have seen a lot of changes in their skin with mask acne appearing so now we can still look at their skin on the zoom and help them get the right products for them.

"We can't do physical hands-on services but we are offering the next best thing to show we are still here for people and that we still care.

"We have gone over and above with hygiene so when we can reopen on December 3 we will be ready."

It is still unclear which tier Kent will be placed in when restrictions are lifted on December 2 but an announcement is expected on Thursday.

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