'Busy but good' - 11 photos from Blackburn as lockdown eases

As lockdown continues to ease, Blackburn town centre was bustling with plenty of people seemingly excited to get out and about in town.

Independent business owners were definitely breathing a sigh of relief with Yaseen Khan, owner of The Emporium, a designer clothes store on Town Hall Street, saying he was optimistic as people had been calling him in advance of the opening to pre-order items of clothing.

Owner of The Emporium designer clothes store, Yaseen Khan

He said: “It’s very exciting - it’s great to be back and see it busy in the town centre.

“I’ve had numerous calls so it looks like we are raring to go.

“I have had to pre-order stuff that people want so the excitement is there.”

Elsewhere in town Rummage Rescuers re-opened and was holding a sale in a bid to get people back to the shop.

Staff member Mary Manning and volunteer Lisa Cowbell, who were working in the shop, said they think the sun brought everyone out.

(L) Volunteer Lisa Cowell and (R) employee Mary Manning at Rummage Rescuers 

They said: “It’s nice that we’ve had lots of regular customers back.

“We have been busier than we expected. I think the sun is bringing people out.”

The charity provides free clothing to the homeless and often supports low income families, who are struggling to afford clothes by either reducing prices or gifting them.

Phil Boulding who runs Secret Santa, a community interest company which helps disadvantaged children in the borough, opened the shop again — with a very special guest cutting the ribbon to welcome customers back.

Phil Boulding (R) with Santa and some volunteers at Secret Santa as they re-opened the shop

Phil said: “It’s just great to be back and see people out and shopping again.

“We had Santa open the shop and we raised a toast. Santa had some milk.”

Blackburn Market was busy with people looking around the non-essential retail stores again

The Mall saw people queueing outside at points throughout the day, with the biggest draw appearing to be Primark as people were lining up in the former WHSmith branch to get into the discount clothes shop.

Shoppers, although happy to be in town, said they were surprised at just how busy shops were, with one saying she was going to come back another day.

She said: “It’s hectic. It’s just too busy. I’ve had to queue for Debenhams.

“I was going to queue for Primark but the queue was massive.”

Blackburn Market also saw non-essential retailers able to trade again, with stall holder Ann Crankshaw, who runs Something Special, saying she had been apprehensive about opening again.

She said: “I’m glad that we are open again. I was a bit apprehensive and didn’t sleep last night.

Ann Crankshaw, who runs Secret Something Special in the market

“Once the first few customers were in, it was okay.

“I’ve found this lockdown harder that the others but I think it’s the right time to open up.”

Also in the Market hall, Ismail Salah, who runs a bag store said: “A lot of customers have been waiting to buy some goods.

Ismail Salah who runs a bag store in Blackburn Market

"We have had some customers say that they are very glad we are back."

“We have had some customers say that they are very glad we are back.”

While Iqbal Patel, who runs the Hijab Centre in the Market said: “It’s nice to be back open but it’s not very busy.

“I hope it will pick up but you never know.”

Pubs have also been able to welcome customers back to their beer gardens, with many of the town centre boozers having obtained licences to serve outside the front of their pubs.

Staff from the Sun on Astley Gate put tables outside the front seating 30 people and they are also able to host 24 in their beer garden at the back.

Landlord Phillip Price said: “It’s great to see the regulars back.”

A group of six guys in the Sun beer garden enjoying a pint

Also in the town centre, the Sir Charles Napier was back open again with plenty of people enjoying a pint outside the front of the pub.

Manager Kerry McGregor said that although it has been busy since opening, everyone was very calm and just happy to be back in the pub.

The Sir Charles Napier was busy with customers

Kerry said: “It’s been busier than we anticipated but we didn’t expect the sun to come out.

“We have been busy since we opened at 12 and people are just grateful to be back in pubs.”

The Rock Box has set up a patio outside the front and staff are excited to be open.

Landlord of the Rock Box, Andy Joss

Landlord Andy Joss said: “It’s fantastic to be back and see the regulars again.”

The pub is able to serve 20 people on the front seated area and have been given a licence to serve more people in the square in plastic glasses.

Andy added: “The council have been very helpful with us and we have had help from Blackburn BID as well.”

A punter outside the Rock Box enjoying a pint

Andy added: "The council have been very helpful with us and we have had help from Blackburn BID as well."

In hairdressing, Haseena Hamaid, owner of Dark Secrets hair salon on Lord Street, said that it has been a good day back for her businesses.

She said: “It’s been good to see everyone again.

“I had a customer come in to book an appointment and I asked if she wanted to book her mum in but her mum had died.

“I got a lump in my throat, she has been coming in for so long. How many more times is that going to happen?”

READ: Shoppers flock to Blackburn Primark as non-essential retail reopens

Hairdresser Haseena Hamaid, owner of Dark Secrets hair salon

Haseena also owns Secrets at Dark on East Park Road and My Laser, also on East Park Road.

She is fully booked for four weeks as people are excited to get back in the chair.