As part of our Backing Business campaign, we spoke to a number of traders across the area.

Here, Willie McIvor from the Mobility Store tells us how the easing of lockdown has been for him.

Q: Why do you think our readers should support local businesses?

“Businesses like ours provide vital products and services for our customers, and by shopping locally and spending money in independent brick and mortar businesses, we can ensure that the local economy bounces back quickly and reduce the damage done by Covid.”

Q: What are you enjoying most about being back open?

“Whilst we were able to keep trading on a reduced, delivery-only basis during lock-down, it’s been wonderful interacting with our customers from a safe distance, in person again since reopening. It also makes it a lot easier to demonstrate different products.”

Q: What has been the toughest challenge for your business over the past 4-5 months?

“Whilst we were able to keep trading in some form, and have been supported by various government policies, the uncertainty of the situation, simply not knowing how and when things will start to get back to normal, has been extremely challenging.”