BUSINESSES affected by the lockdown are hoping things get back to some sort of normality before Christmas.

Ahead of the lockdown, the Lancashire Telegraph met proprietors of Blackburn businesses which are shutting for a month and those which are staying open.
At Blackburn Market many of the food stalls will remain open, while others, classed as non-essential, will be closing for a month.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Paul Simpson from Lesley’s News, which is one of the longest-running stalls, said he was going to wait to see how things went this week. He said: “We are classed as an essential business so I will stay open for a few days and see how busy it is.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Nearby is John’s Hardware. John said: “I am permitted to stay open but we rely a lot on passing trade so will be closing for the four weeks.”

Lorraine Johnson, of Le Rain Florists, said the run-up to Christmas was one of her busiest times of year. She said: “I would really like to stay open but we rely on footfall and much of our trade is impulse buys.

“I have some orders to complete so will come in on Thursday but then will be closed.

“Business has built up steadily since the summer and our customers are really loyal. All our Christmas stock is here and hopefully it will sell in December.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Giles Hayton, of Mayer’s Fishmongers, said they would be continuing their delivery service and would also stay open in the market throughout the lockdown.
“We are still here from 8.30am till 5pm and people can still call us for their home deliveries if they wish,” he said.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Hasina Hamid, who runs beauty and hair business Dark Secrets Salons on Lord Street West and East Park Road, said this week had been very busy with people trying to fit in appointments.

She said: “Many people know me as a workaholic so it is very sad that this is the last day for us and other businesses like mine. We are very sad to be closing.
“Both our salons have been super busy for the past few days since Boris made the announcement on Saturday. It is a busy time of the year for everyone as we head into Christmas.

“We are all hoping to be back open again in December. We have to keep the faith.”
Remix Casualwear on Railway Road said they would have a click-and-collect service in operation for the coming month. People can log on to their website or call to place an order.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Yasin Khan of Emporium IV Menswear, opposite the library, said orders online were helping to keep the business going.

He said: “In March we completely shut down.

“It has been a difficult period for everyone. We are still supplying our stock online and via e-Bay which has kept us steady.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Remix Casuals Store, based on Railway Road will be open for click and collect services only. You can find out more on their website.

In the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday, two of the market’s stalls which had been supporting the Poppy Appeal were shutting down too. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Alan Taylor has been running the Remembrance stall for the past six years. He has a full-time job as a street cleaner, getting up at 6am in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday so he can man the stall during the day.

He said: “It is shame that we have to close but I want to abide by the rules and not think we have any special treatment as we are non-essential.”
After his early start he runs the stall from 11am until 4pm, then goes back to his full-time job until 7pm.

Lancashire Telegraph:

In the Blackburn Mall, Neil Shorrock and Aaron McKean were raising funds for the Royal British Legion. Neil said: “This will be our last day. The Mall allocated us a shop for free and the display has certainly got people coming in and it has been busy.”

The displays were built by Neil and members of the Blackburn Sea-Cadets who produced a life-size model of a soldier.

Blackburn Library will close its doors for a month but a spokesman said it will be offering a call-and-collect service to more people during the lockdown.

People can call the library, choose their title and this can be collected at the Northgate entrance or it can be delivered.