VIDEO: Business blooming as garden centre opens doors for first time in weeks

It took just minutes for the car park to start filling with customers when a Skegness garden centre opened its doors for the first time since the lockdown began.
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Lydhurst Garden Centre in Skegness Road has been trading with deliveries and pick-ups but today customers were allowed inside - and first to greet them was the resident cocker spaniel, Jack.

"He's really pleased to welcome everyone back," said centre owner Stephen Clow. "I was expecting it to be busy because a lot of people have been phoning up, dying to get back out into the garden and come and see us again and see what we have on sale."

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A number of changes have been made for the protection of customers and staff.

Lydhurst Garden Centre  owner Stephen Clow ready to welcome back customers.Lydhurst Garden Centre  owner Stephen Clow ready to welcome back customers.
Lydhurst Garden Centre owner Stephen Clow ready to welcome back customers.

Stephen said: "Before they enter the garden centre we have sanitiser to wipe the trolleys and baskets down and we have a one-way system to make it easier for the social distancing.

"We've moved some of the stock around to prevent people cutting through.

"And where people are likely to browse, we've put in an alternate route so they don't have to pass each other.

"So far, it seems to have been well-received."

One of the first customers, Penny Kilner from Skegness  delighted the garden centre is open.One of the first customers, Penny Kilner from Skegness  delighted the garden centre is open.
One of the first customers, Penny Kilner from Skegness delighted the garden centre is open.
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Penny Kilner from Skegness was one of the first customers. "I'm really pleased to see the garden centre open again," she said. "They have been delivering but it's nice to be able to come.

"I'm just a little concerned they might open caravan sites because we don't want lots of people coming to to the coast."

Annette and Victor Payne, also from Skegness, were also stocking up. "I've got my grow bags so I'm all set now," said Victor.

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