THIS week's trader is Darlington-based SKL Interiors, which is getting back to work as coronavirus restrictions ease.

The kitchen, bedroom and office design and installation company is headed up by founder Joanne Skillicorn and was established in 2019.

The woman, known as "Kitchen Jo" to parents at her son's school after completing so many projects, has been in the kitchen industry for 22 years and previously set up her own company after the death of her husband, so that she could work more flexibly around her young son, but returned to the workplace once he went to school.

She said: "I missed visiting customers so restarted my own business.

"In the future, I'll keep doing more of the same. I recently completed a home bar and media room so may add more diversity."

While the mum has had to put projects on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, she has continued working where possible, while home schooling her 10-year-old, who has been taking part in PWS' colouring kitchen competition, which the company has been running during lockdown.

She added: "I am doing some designing if people have measurements but ready to get back to doing other bits as soon as it is safe.

"A lot of my suppliers have reopened recently and I am kitted out with gloves, face masks, shoe protectors and hand sanitizer ready for when we get the green light."

As recent Government annoucements gave people the go-ahead to move houses, estate and letting agency to reopen, and more movement for builders, SKL Interiors began conducting surveys again on May 18, implementing social distancing and leveraging personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.

Mrs Skillicorn also urges people to get in touch if they would like any additional measures put in place.

To get in touch with Mrs Skillicorn via email on jo@sklinteriors.co.uk.

The Northern Echo understands most businesses are currently not operating as normal, or operating on a limited basis, due to the pandemic.

However, we hope to use Trader of the Week to help ease uncertainty during this time. If you would like to be featured, email tasmin.lockwood@newsquest.co.uk