WHILE most of us dreaded the third lockdown, for York cafe owner Annette Harker the event helped save her life.

In January, Annette was told if she did not have heart surgery in the next four weeks she only had six months to live.

Annette - who runs a take-out cafe in Fossgate with her son Dan - had known for a few years that she needed an operation on a faulty heart valve and the third lockdown afforded the perfect opportunity for her to have her operation and recover.

York Press: Flick & Alfreds, food to go, Fossgate in YorkFlick & Alfreds, food to go, Fossgate in York

And during that recuperation she and Dan decided to relaunch their Fossgate business with a trendy new name, design, and menus.

Annette said: "It worked out fabulously for me. I got a new heart valve while we were closed and I got the time off to recover. I kept my motivation up by planning everything for our come back."

We are sure you will agree that Annette deserves to be our Trader of the Week. If you would like to nominate a local business for that honour, click here to fill out our online nomination form.

The mother and son team, who used to run the Taste sandwich shop near York Hospital, relocated to Fossgate in 2016 with The Cake Shop and Tea House, next to Fossgate Social.

But during the third lockdown they decided it was time to bring the business out of the 90s and make it more appealing to the modern customer.

Out went breakfast baps and paninis, in came smoothies, sourdough open sandwiches and vegan options, explains Dan.

And the premises was given a new name too: Flick & Alfreds, based on family nicknames for Annette and Dan.

York Press: Dan and Annette Harker, owners of Flick & AlfredsDan and Annette Harker, owners of Flick & Alfreds

Annette said: "We needed an update to bring it out of the Nineties and Noughties. We are doing fresh fruit smoothies as well as Kefir smoothies. It's not just about being trendy, it is what people want, especially young people."

And they are dedicated to using local suppliers too.

"All our bread comes from the Bluebird Bakery, our cakes from White Rose Bakes, coffee from Coffee Emporium and fruit, milk and kefir from Fruitique in Bishopthorpe Road."

York Press: Homemade sandwiches using local bread at Flick & AlfredsHomemade sandwiches using local bread at Flick & Alfreds

Flick & Alfreds is open for take-away Monday to Friday from 8am to 2.30pm. It is closed at the weekends but plans to open on Saturdays soon from 9am-1.30pm.

If you would like to nominate a local business for Trader of the Week, or if you are a local business with a story to share, click here to fill out our online nomination form.