Lisburn will build back better

With close contact services opening on April 23, and other retailers on April 30. it is hoped that people will support the city’s businesses as Lisburn aims to ‘build back better’ as it moves out of the lockdown restrictions.

The President of the Lisburn Chamber of Commerce, Garry MacDonald said he was “delighted” that dates had finally been revealed to allow businesses to welcome back customers.

“After the longest of lockdowns, speaking with our local retail and hospitality businesses yesterday they are delighted that they now have a clear set of dates to work to fully re-opening our ‘High Street’ and getting back to doing what they do best, serving their customers,” said Mr MacDonald,

“We would have loved indoor hospitality to have returned at the same time as all of retail reopens on April 30 but understand the need for a phased return.

“As it is, we are pleased for our colleagues working in ‘Hair and Beauty businesses can be the first to return next Friday, April 23. Whilst they expect a high demand for their services they are extremely mindful that all the safe covid practices around social distancing and queuing and cleanliness will remain in force.

“By keeping everyone safe it will inevitably lead to only being able to perform at a certain percentage of ‘full capacity’ so a good number of these establishments will be opening late into the evenings on multiple days with the retailers, when they return on the 30th, continuing to support late night shopping on a Thursday.

“Thinking beyond initial opening we need to come back not only safely but steadily build sustainability into our city centre. In the past couple of weeks the Chamber has run a Public Survey calling for ‘What do we need to have in Lisburn to build back stronger as we come out of lockdown?’

“We have been somewhat overwhelmed by the response with 581 surveys completed but totally encouraged by the strength of the public feeling for wanting to make a difference and contribute in so many innovative ways, of which retail is only one part.

“We are building these responses into our ‘City Centre Manifesto’ that we will launch next month.

“Until then, turning to April 23, 30, and the indicative date of May 24 when we can at last all go and enjoy our indoor hostelries can I ask that we all think, shop and buy local ? Every £1 spent in Lisburn doesn’t just keep the money within our own community but encourages new business to come to Lisburn.

“And on that note go look in Lisburn Square to see two new businesses that are just about to open their doors and bring new experiences to traditional retailing.”