Optimism on show as Inverness gallery reopens after coronavirus lockdown
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The owner of Castle Gallery in Inverness is glad to be back in business after spending her time in lockdown clearing out the attic.
Denise Collins, who runs the Castle Street business, was glad to be able to reopen the gallery on July 1 and is hoping to bring back her three members of staff from furlough in the coming weeks.
“It is lovely to see faces again and meet customers outside my immediate circle,” she said.
She has set up an online shop which went live on the day she reopened the gallery, which she said was bringing in extra sales.
Ms Collins said the response from customers had been “really positive”.
“They are glad we reopened,” she said. “A few who I spoke to two weeks ago said they were initially a bit anxious.”
However she felt people were now getting more confident about returning.
She said that individual businesses had introduced safety measures and added: “I’ve spent the morning going around making sure the surfaces are clean. Everything does take a bit longer with all the extra cleaning measures.”
She said the city centre was noticeably getting busier compared with a few weeks ago. “The first week or so it was quiet but then there was a leap – and it is not just locals in the city.”
Ms Collins said she was “cautiously optimistic” for the future. “Obviously sales aren’t going to be the same as previous years but, as long as you’ve got enough to survive, that’s all we can ask for at the moment.”
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