From Lancashire with love: council highways surprise florist by waiving street works in time for Valentine's Day
Fears that loved up couples would be dissuaded from buying impromptu Valentine's Day gifts due to roadworks in one Lancashire village have been allayed.
Nigel O'Rouke, co-owner of Open All Flowers florist in Clayton-le-Moors, was dismayed to discover at the weekend that utilities work by Electricity North West involving temporary traffic lights was due to start on February 12 and continue until Valentine's Day.
Nigel, 61, who co owns the shop with wife Janet, was so concerned that the move would affect trade at a peak time for florists, as well as the business's long-term viability, that he penned a heartfelt plea for it to be stopped by writing to his local councillor, County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite, who flagged the matter to the council's highways bosses.
Nigel said:
"It's definitely taken a big worry off my shoulders. This particular week would have been a disaster, but it seems that reasonable people at the council listen to a reasonable request.
"Florists around the country historically rely on this period to see them through the quieter spring early summer months. Retail is fragile and there would have been an impact on my shop.
"We have been here for over 30 years, and been proud to be here, serving lots of people locally for many different occasions.
"If the roadworks had gone ahead this week, we would have been at best marooned in the midst of all the traffic lights, and no body would have been able to get to us.
"I don't wish to generalise, but in my experience, it doesn't take much for men to go for the easiest option when they decide to buy something, and this wouldn’t have made it easy for them.
"Councillor Haythornethwaite has been brilliant, and I'm so very glad that highways have postponed the work permit to make it easy for people to get their Valentine's flowers at my shop."
Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Lancashire County Council, said:
"I am delighted that our highways teams have listened to these concerns and revoked the planned works permit this week for ENW, which will allow them to replan their works and to attend at a later date to avoid any losses occurring for the florist business.
"I hope this helps reassure Nigel and Janet, and I wish them good fortune and for their florist to be around for another 30 years!
"As a County Council, we always listen to our residents, businesses and communities, putting their needs first and foremost.
"It is truly heartwarming to see that people will still be able to easily buy Valentine's Day flowers and gifts from a local florist on their doorstep, thanks to the swift actions of our highways bosses who have listened to them."