A FLINTSHIRE indoor football business which launched just days before the first Covid-19 lockdown has become a popular fixture within the local community.

The Football Lab, based in Greenfield, near Holywell, opened its doors three days before the first lockdown in March 2020 - but has come out the other side and is now a popular venue.

It is run by local business partners Thomas Allman and Russ Flint - who have praised the support they've received from the community.

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Thomas, a UEFA A licence accredited coach, said: "During the lockdown periods, we did our best to support the community by helping to deliver food to local children, and things like that.

"Because me and Russ are local lads, we wanted to do as much for the local community as we could."

He said the business has been badly affected by the fact it is indoors - with the difference in restrictions placed on indoor and outdoor businesses a huge one.

"As we're an indoor business, we have been closed for large parts of the last 18 months," Thomas said.

"So we had to think outside the box to try and keep some form of our business going.

"We started running one-to-one sessions and online football classes - and just ourselves out there. We went from having 500 likes on Facebook to over 4,000."

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Thomas said the support they showed the community during the worst phases of the pandemic is now being repaid.

"The support the community has shown us has been fantastic," he said.

"I think they recognise we're a new business which has been so badly hit by Covid - so people are really keen to support and invest in us.

"We are so grateful for this."

The facility and the coaching provided there has been lauded by local footballers Dylan Levitt (Manchester United) and Owen Beck (Liverpool).

Dylan, a Welsh international, said: "The Football Lab is always a warm welcome as soon as you step through the doors.

"Best 1 to 1 training facilities in Wales and top coaches with very detailed sessions. If you have any questions you are always welcome to ask and the staff would try and help you out and answer correctly. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their game and take it to the next level."

Owen added: "The Football Lab - Best 1 to 1 coaching along with the best facilities and staff. I 100 per cent would recommend to anyone wanting to improve as a player in any department of the game, you get a lot out of the sessions and it's very enjoyable at the same time."

As well as coaching sessions, The Football Lab is also open for birthday party bookings.

For more information, visit https://www.footballlab.co.uk/