The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Garden centres set to emerge from lockdown
A Broughty Ferry garden centre owner says the timing of the reopening “couldn’t be better” as he prepares to welcome customers back for the first time since Christmas.
Turriff’s Garden Centre opens today and staff expect many of their regulars to return following the second lockdown.
Owner Ross Turriff can’t wait to see his business bustling again and said: “It’s been a long time coming but finally we can begin business again and are looking forward to welcoming the public back.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time for us.
“We are just hitting the main spring growing season, the days are getting longer and warmer and people are getting back out into their gardens.
“This is unlike last time when we were forced to remain closed just at the peak of the growing summer season and opening came too late to save and sell the plants.
“It’s been a tough time. Although garden centres like mine weren’t allowed to open, there were plenty of other places selling plants, from corner shops and grocery stores to the bigger supermarkets.
“It didn’t seem fair that we couldn’t open but we just had to abide by the rules.
“There has been confusion among the public about opening dates for garden centres which has been frustrating for many people but hopefully everyone now knows the rules.”
Meanwhile, hairdressers are also preparing to once again reopen.
John Gillespie runs John Gillespie Hairdressing on St John Street in Perth.
He says he and his staff are looking forward to getting back to work, with more than 2,000 people on their waiting list.
He said: “To be honest, it’s an absolute relief. It’s very difficult being closed with no income, and you can’t plan. People have found lockdown very difficult and my staff have as well, so we are delighted.”
Ahead of reopening, Mr Gillespie and his staff have implemented measures to ensure clients’ safety.
This includes screening off sections and taking staff and customers’ temperatures.
In Aberfeldy, LouVonne Hair and Beauty is also excited to get going.
Owners Louise Lambie and Chevonne Johnston says business owners throughout the town will be “raising a glass” to celebrate being able to reopen.
They said: “We at LouVonne are extremely excited.
“Like many businesses, we have missed being part of the community throughout lockdown. Aberfeldy is a small town with a big heart.”
They added: “We are very lucky to have our loyal clients behind us and an exceptionally supportive landlord.
“Our clients are at the forefront of our business which is why we have ensured, for our opening we have all the necessary safety measures in place to keep them safe.”
Forecasts of a return to winter weather might put off some garden centre customers, but one Angus nursery believes the flood will soon follow when the sun comes back out.
The doors may have been closed for months, but Ashbrook Nursery on the outskirts of Arbroath has been a hive of behind-the-scenes activity throughout the lockdown period as stocks of homegrown plants were raised.
It has also kept customers happy with deliveries of online orders.
Anne Webster, of the long-established family business, said: “Obviously we would like to have been able to stay open, but for the lifting of restrictions the timing is perfect.”
“If we had had to wait until the end of April we would have missed a crucial period, so we are very glad this is just ahead of the main summer season,” she added.
“We are also lucky because we grow many of our own plants.”
“It means we have a fantastic display, which is good because there are severe shortages of some varieties because of the demand from suppliers,” said Anne.
The business, which has staff of more than 20, also operates a cafe which they are looking forward to reopening when rules allow.
Anne added: “The forecast isn’t looking too good so that may keep some people away.
“But when the sun comes out it is like turning on the tap.”