EACH week The Bolton News will be showcasing one local business for our new Trader of the Week page.

We want to highlight the fantastic things your business has to offer and help share your story with our readers.

You can nominate your business at the below.

Here's this week's Trader of the Week.

A COUPLE from Bolton who started a small business in their front room have gone from ‘strength to strength’ with their company A Year Of Dates.

Kate and John Greenhalgh, both 39, from Heaton make special occasions even better with their quirky business.

Kate first started the business in 2016 after her husband John made her a date jar as a Christmas present.

This contained 52 sealed envelopes, each one containing a date idea.

Kate decided this was a great basis for a business and, with no previous business experience, launched A Year of Dates from the front-room of her home while on maternity leave with daughter Phoebe.

Kate said: “For many couples, dating can feel like one more thing you are expected to fit into your schedule. Whether it’s because you’ve been together forever, you’re on a strict budget or because you have kids and no regular babysitter available.

“It can be difficult to find time to be romantic and enjoy each other’s company for a change but there is no excuse not to keep dating.”

John works with Kate full time and they currently employ one part time office worker at the premises at Nortex Mill in Chorley Old Road.

John said: We have had some fantastic feedback because people have been in lockdown and haven’t known what to do. These date cards are just fantastic and give people the ideas.

“We have also launched self care cards for people who have been through tough times, from cancer survivors to NHS workers.

“These cards have been bought as gifts to give them a bit of encouragement during these times.”

A Year of Dates’ sales are mainly from e-commerce websites such as Not on The High Street, but customers are also local.

John added: “We have had some fantastic support and local people buy via Facebook and Instagram.

“We are really excited for the future and we are always evolving with new ideas.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE ON OUR TRADER OF THE WEEK PAGE? CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR BUSINESS.