Spring has definitely sprung at the Emporium

It was a worrying time for the shop owner with fears for the future and uncertainty about what support would be available for businesses.

“I had only just got my first Christmas over in the news shop when we had to close,” explained Rosaleen. “There seemed to be new rules every month,

“We rushed to get a website ready for click and collect and then in the most recent lockdown we weren’t allowed to do click and collect. It was a real yo-yo.”

Rosaleen, together with other retailers in the city who have been supporting each other during the pandemic, is delighted to be getting ready to open her doors and welcome back her loyal customers.

“Most of my stock is already here as we have to order it months in advance,” she continued. “There hasn’t been a lot of notice though and I know not everyone is at the stage were they can just open.

“I know a lot of people asked why we weren’t opening sooner but I think April 30 is good, the weather will be warmer and it will be payday.

“I would definitely urge people to support local businesses,” she continued. “People have had a great response to the announcement that we will be reopening and have been saying they can’t wait to get back to the shop.

“There are new shops opening in Lisburn Square that weren’t there before lockdown so it shows that LIsburn Square is really up and coming.

“There is plenty for people to do in Lisburn and by May it will be even better,” she added.