A grade II listed building, supposedly haunted by a "friendly ghost and its ghost cat", is home to Lee Louise - an independent shop selling curated clothing, crystals, jewellery and holistic gifts.

Originally from Shropshire, Faith Tindall took over the The Foregate Street store in April last year, shortly after stepping away from a long corporate career.

Stress had began taking a toll on her body. After initially dismissing a leg injury, she finally visited the doctor who later investigated signs of a stroke.

"I remember thinking, I'm not even 40. What on earth have I done to myself?"

"It was completely stress-related. I had inflammation on the left side of my brain that had caused all this mobility stuff on the right-hand side of my body," she told Chester Nub News.

Lee Louise sells curated clothing, crystals, jewellery and holistic gifts (Image via: Lee Louise)

Faith added: "I said to myself, this is not the life I want anymore, to be running around doing all these corporate jobs that are making me very unhappy and very ill."

After stumbling across a podcast about buying existing businesses, she realised she had the skills to do just that.

"I've gone into businesses in the past, changed things that aren't working and got them profitable.

"That's what I love; growing businesses and changing things that aren't working," Faith said.

A shop she had frequented for a number of years was the first business that came up during her search. Soon after meeting its owner, she was collecting the keys.

She wanted to keep the shop as it was, but decided to provide experiences such as courses and workshops.

"One thing I really loved about Chester when I first came here is that most of the stores are independent, which makes it very different from anywhere else," she added.

Faith Tindall stepped away from a corporate career that was making her sick (Nub News)

"I've used all the skills I gained running businesses for other people and within education to look at how to develop courses, workshops and training things.

"I think I needed a blend of all those skills and experiences to take over the shop."

As an "enormous" Alice in Wonderland fan, even boasting a themed tattoo, Faith tries to create an experience for customers where they leave the store feeling better.

She said: "I want people to have that wonderland experience when they come into this shop."

At a time when many independents are struggling, Faith maintains the importance and value and supporting high street stores, citing the benefit of in-person exchanges. 

Last year the store was named as the Best Gift Shop in Cheshire (Image via: Lee Louise)

She said: "Shopping for me in person is massively about experience, not just buying and transacting.

"I want human interaction and an experience with people. We're wired for connection, not to be sat on our phones."

Acknowledging the convenience of online shopping, and the increasing reliance on it, she believes there is a distinct benefit to buying and selling in person.

"As much as I love technology, we need human contact and to speak to people, to look somebody in the eye, to feel good about what you buy," she added, "Human beings need that interaction."

Faith considers the longevity of the store can be put down to its unique offering and service, stating people come back for "that sort of human experience part".

She added: "I really believe in the service that we offer.

"A lot of the things that we sell, particularly the clothing and the jewellery, are all very bespoke and unique, you know, so no two things are the same."

Faith is a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, even boasting a themed tattoo (Nub News)

At the core of making any small business work, Faith believes, is enjoying the work itself, which she prioritises more than ever after stepping away from the corporate world.

"I think you've really got to love the thing that you do. If you don't, it's very difficult," Faith added, "I think it's that mix of helping people and that sense of community.

"We've had several new businesses open here, you know, we just need a couple of other people to be brave and take on some of the other empty shops.

"Maybe some of those people are like me, who are in the corporate space and are thinking about doing something different. "

You can find out more about Lee Louise here.