PADIHAM TOWN CENTRE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

  • Non-essential businesses which meet government social distancing guidelines have reopened in Padiham
  • MP for Burnley Antony Higginbotham visited The Original Factory Shop and said: “The message is clear – let’s support all of our local businesses by shopping locally.”

From Monday 15th June, non-essential businesses in Padiham town centre reopened, so long as they can meet the government social distancing guidelines.

And the town centre was visited by MP for Burnley Antony Higginbotham, who met staff and customers at The Original Factory Shop. He said: “The message is clear – let’s support all of our local businesses by shopping locally.”

Some of the other businesses that opened their doors to welcome back customers included Harry Garlick, The Picture House Gallery, The Girl Who Bakes, The Cellar and Cottage Carpets.

Residents in Padiham have already benefited from some other businesses in the town opening prior to the 15th June. Padiham Cycle Repairs, Turtle Bee, A1 Motorstore, Padiham Angling Centre, Cartmells Greengrocers, The Hardware Store, Serranos and Mooch Café are some of the local stores that have been operating safely.

The Lawrence Hotel

And of course, The Lawrence Hotel has operated at full capacity since the government announced the lockdown measures in March. However, guests have to pass the stringent checks carried out by owner Michael Huckerby, who makes clear that residents must be key/essential workers or visiting the area to attend a funeral.

“We have found ourselves fully booked, which obviously we are grateful for. When the government first announced lockdown, we assumed we would be closed until further notice. However, we were

soon inundated with enquiries to provide a safe and secure place for key workers. We also had requests from people who sadly had to attend funerals in the area,” Mr Huckerby explained.

He added: “I have lived in New York, Manchester and Florida – and before living in Padiham, I had no idea what community was. People here genuinely care about one another.

“When the crisis first started, I went out into the community and some people were scared of the situation. This was when basics like toilet roll, hand sanitiser and pasta were scarce in the supermarkets. A lot of nearby residents are elderly and didn’t feel safe in big shops, so I bought basics such as milk, eggs, pasta and toilet roll and sold them to people at the same price I bought them. I cleared the bookcases in the lounge to store the items. I grew up with my parents running a small supermarket, so it felt like I’d come full circle.”

Some of Padiham’s businesses are open by appointment only, others are running takeaway, click and collect or delivery services. And of course, the centre looks forward to when it is safe for hairdressers and salons to reopen, as there are several in the town that are keen to welcome both new and returning customers.

For more information on Padiham town centre businesses please visit http://padiham.org.uk/businessdirectory/ or https://www.facebook.com/padihamtowncentre/