Alderman Deborah Girvan has appealed to the Northern Ireland Executive to allow florists to operate a Click and Collect service to enable them be to sell flowers safely from their shop premises in time for Mother’s Day on 14 March 2021. According to the Executive’s Pandemic Exit Plan, from Monday 8 March, Click and Collect is only permitted for non-essential retail shops that sell clothes, electrical goods and baby items.
Alderman Girvan, chairperson of Comber Chamber of Commerce explained, “Tracey Burrows who owns local flower shop, Floral Creations in Comber, contacted me to say that she is very frustrated that florists have not been included in the Executive’s list of non-essential shops that are allowed to offer Click and Collect from Monday 8 March. I would argue that receiving a bunch of flowers or being able to buy a pot plant or bedding plant for the garden is good for people’s mental health and brings little bit of joy and happiness into the home. I understand that we need to open up the economy carefully but It seems very unfair that large supermarkets are allowed to sell flowers indoors while small independent flower shops are not permitted to sell flowers through an outdoor Click and Collect system.”
Tracey Burrows said, “Florists are devastated that we have not been included in the first phase of opening up retail. The lack of clarity from the Executive about the range of non-essential shops that can offer Click and Collect is causing a lot of anxiety and despair among the florists in Northern Ireland. To miss opportunities to sell flowers on Valentine’s Day was bad enough but to miss out on Mother’s Day, which is one of the busiest days of the year, will be catastrophic for many flower retailers. Compared to supermarkets, we can offer a very safe shopping experience. I would therefore implore the Executive to think again and let florists operate Click and Collect.”