BUSINESS owners in Barrow are calling on the public to support them through another challenging lockdown period.

Many have already suffered huge blows to their income in 2020, which is now set to continue in 2021 - making it more important than ever to support local businesses.

Beth Irvine, owner of Rock'n'Rose, which specialises in custom products, has spoken of her frustration at losing income at an already quiet time of year.

She said: "I'm forced to close the stall and lose my income for the foreseeable once again.

"This means I'll have to try my best to get online sales at what will be the quietest time of year.

"People will be saving what money they have after Christmas, and even more so due to the current Covid-19 situation. So it's going to be quite difficult.

"I am constantly trying to think of new, unique ideas that I can make up to make people want to support my small business.

"I put pretty much every single penny I have into my business as I'm self employed and this is my full time job and I want it to be the best I can possibly make it."

Heath's toy store owner Phil Heath has highlighted the need to support one another to help the high street to survive.

He said: "We are operating from behind a locked door. You can ring to arrange to collect or we can arrange delivery.

"We're posting on our Facebook page and you can order and enquire through there.

"We are delivering office supplies and stationery to local businesses which isn't something that a lot of people necessarily associate us with.

"Basically we are here to supply the local community and help to keep things local and making sure that businesses survive in the high street.

"We are doing what we can, as safely as we can."

Barrow Borough Councillor Trevor Biggins said: "Obviously I want the shops to survive and I want people to support them but we can't go on how we are with figures doubling and trebling.

"People's lives are more important to me and I do have a great deal of sympathy for the shops and I always try and buy local myself.

"As long as it's done safely, we should support the shops."