Charity’s appeal as shops prepare to reopen

Charity shops are appealing people to be ‘thoughtful’ when they reopen.

Charities are expecting huge volumes of donations when they reopen and plan to isolate goods for 72 hours before they go on sale as part of measures to ensure the safety of customers.

The Government said fundraising shops are among retailers that can resume trading from June 15 – but Oxfam is saying it will only commit to reopening once it is "safe to do so".

Charities are asking people who have spent the lockdown de-cluttering their homes not to leave donations outside shops and to be "thoughtful" about when they donate.

The Government is also being urged to give more "definitive" guidelines regarding how long donated items should be left before being put out on sale.

Oxfam said it is working on a plan to enable its shops to reopen but does not currently have a confirmed date.

The charity said: "Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and customers.

"We are following Government advice and are taking comprehensive steps to create a safe environment, including ensuring social distancing within the shops, providing personal protective equipment, regular cleaning of all surfaces, doors and equipment, and the isolation of donated items for 72 hours prior to listing for sale.”

It added: "We welcome the fact that many people are taking the opportunity to de-clutter during lockdown and we are asking people to hold on to those items for now and donate them to Oxfam when the shops and donation banks are open again."