But after moving quickly to set up their website the business, run by husband and wife team David and Karen Woodthorpe near Peterborough, has grown up to nearly 4,000 Twitter followers - and even picked up some social media awards in the process.

The business was set up only a few months before in May 2019, continuing their background in food, with Karen's parents owning multiple fish and chip shops, in which David also worked at various times.

Their journey to being business owners and creating chutneys such as carrot and butternut and flamin 'ot aubergine, and was prompted by their love of food, starting with traditional recipes and adding a modern twist.

In March 2020, In a Sticky Pickle were trading only at food events and markets, planning on starting to sell their products online at the end of 2020 - but this was brought forward to May in the midst of lockdown.

Karen said "Naturally, this was a big concern for us, as we had stock, so now what would do we do with it?

"We looked into our local options, and were asked to supply our chutneys to two outlets; Oak Lodge Store in Rockingham Forest Holiday Park, near Oakham, and Smiths Farm Shop in Wisbech.

"We were also able to drive customers to our website and some local events through Twitter, where we have won several social media awards, such as the #QueenOf award and the Awarding Women in Business award."

These were both won by Karen (@InAStickyPickle), who manages the business' social media. More recently, they won Theo Paphitis' Small Business Sunday (#SBS) award, where the former Dragons Den investor chooses six businesses to add to his small business community, which then receive support from his '#SBS Crew'.

After starting to gain an online presence, restrictions began to lift and the business based in Whaplode Drove could begin booking events again.

These included Rothwell Monthly Market, the Burghley Summer Fine Food Fair, and the upcoming Burghley Christmas Fair on November 25-28.

In this time, the Woodthorpes also sent their piccalilli to the Guild of Fine Food, which they achieved a Great Taste award for, they said this was “fantastic recognition for the time we spend on our product, as everything is hand prepared and made by us”.

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