A HIGH Street gift shop is looking forward to its tenth anniversary despite coronavirus.

Colne's Funky Gifts had fears it would not make it to its birthday as the pandemic bit but two government business grants passported by Pendle Council kept the business going.

And a new click and collect service on top of their existing online operation also helped.

Funky Gifts of Colne is able to look forward to a decade in business, courtesy of two Government funded business grants.

Set up by married couple Becca and Anne Barker on June 12 2011, the business is based in the former Yorkshire Bank building on Market Street.

It sells a wide range of gifts and also provides body piercing.

Becca said: “When the first lockdown began to bite, I just cried and didn’t sleep because what we were earning was not enough to cover our outgoings. We just didn’t know what to do.

“When the Government announced the initial £10,000 business grant funding it gave us chance to breathe.

“We know customers have been worried about coming into the shop, but we are ultra-careful in ensuring we are Covid-secure.”

Dean Langton, Pendle Council’s chief executive said: “It’s wonderful to hear about businesses that have been able to survive because of the grant funding we’ve provided.

“Grants are still available for non-essential retail businesses and hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses to aid safe re-openings.

“We urge business owners to find out about the options available.”