A FAMILY run business is getting fully back up to speed after lockdown.

And Tom Cook, of Tom Cook Carpets, is showing his support for Evesham Journal's Love Local Business campaign, encouraging people to support local as traders recover from the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Cook said the business was forced to close in March, with all the staff furloughed, describing the furlough scheme as exactly what was needed.

He said prior to the March it had been a normal year and the company, that supplies and fits carpet and flooring of all types from its showroom in the Blackminster Business Park, had been doing well.

"We closed as I didn't want to put fitters and customers at risk - some of our customers are 50 plus, I am in an at risk group myself," Mr Cook said.

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"The trade completely shut down - I have never known anything like that."

Mr Cook said jobs dropped off, but since reopening last week - with the showroom appointment only - measuring up and orders were actually up on this time last year.

"We have adapted," he said.

"We ask people to remove their old carpet - it is something we used to do but we can't now, and that's with the current government guidance.

"Fitters practise social distancing when they fit a carpet, people often go out for the day while we fit the new one.

"We wipe everything, we comply with all the health and safety required.

"We are doing a lot of commercial work at the moment, places have been taking advantage of being closed - one of the jobs we have been doing is a dentist."

Mr Cook said now lockdown has eased it was important people chose local firms like theirs.

"I'm a local lad, born and bred in Evesham and have been doing this for 40 years."

For more on Tom Cook Carpets visit tomcookcarpets.co.uk or visit Tom Cook Carpets Ltd on Facebook.

Evesham Journal's campaign is being supported by Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, and is aimed at getting readers to back the traders of Evesham, Pershore and the surrounding areas by spending their money with them.

Any business which wants to be featured in our campaign should get in touch on 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.