A MUM has had to close her dream bakery and dessert shop because it is too small to operate within coronavirus regulations.

Lisa Russett opened Pretty Princess Bakes and Cakes on a walkway between Sainsbury's and the library in Northwich two years ago.

The mum-of-two, originally from Widnes was hailed a cupcake queen after baking cakes for TV stars and celebrities including Beyonce.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Lisa is sorry to lose her shop in Northwich town centre

The business, which served her own unique waffles, cakes, crepes, milk shakes, freakshakes, smoothies and ice cream, became a soaring success but there isn't enough space now for customers to socially distance.

"My shop relies on people sitting together and having a lovely time," said Lisa, 41. "If I had carried on with the shop, with all those overheads, we potentially could have gone bankrupt and lost the house.

"I feel like I've failed although it isn't my fault. I did everything I possibly could. It is out of your hands."

Lisa was preparing to host Mother's Day celebrations when lockdown started.

"I had over 3,000 afternoon teas booked in that weekend and vintage china to serve it all on," she said. "We were going to have several sittings throughout the day in the shop."

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Lisa now bakes in her kitchen at home

Imaginative Lisa, who is originally from Widnes, nurtured a love for baking before she started school with her late nan Daisy Ince, who died aged 94.

Throughout the pandemic she returned to her roots and has been baking in her own kitchen, offering customers a home delivery service.

"People were ordering boxes of little individual treats like cup cakes and brownies to be delivered as a surprise to their friends and relatives," said Lisa."People weren't having big cakes because they were not having parties.

"Support from the people of Northwich has been fabulous."

Lisa is fully booked for celebration cakes for the next two months and now works at Tesco to ensure a regular income.

"We've got three kids to feed, a mortgage and bills to pay," she said." I'm doing online order picking, the staff there are great. I'm really enjoying it.

"Although I've lost the shop at least me and my family are fit and healthy. Some people have lost a lot more.

"When everything is back, I'll be back. I'll look for a different shop in a different location once it is over and you can guarantee people will be allowed to go out together and have a nice time."

Last year, Lisa won an award from Radio 1 for being one of the most fun and unique places to work in the UK, after being chosen from 10,000 businesses to feature in a live broadcast.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Lisa Russett received an award BBC Radio 1 presenter Ariella Free for being one of the most fun and unique places to work in the UK

Celebrities and TV presenters have hired Lisa for special events and her cup cakes have featured in Vogue, OK and Now magazines as well as on BBC's Don't Tell The Bride and BBC Breakfast.

Lisa, crowned cupcake queen of Liverpool, has also baked for Beyonce's tour, made cakes for Jordan's hen party and reality stars Sam and Billie Faiers from The Only Way Is Essex.

The talented baker has also made christening cakes for Coronation Street's Alan Halsall's son and Helen Skelton's baby.