Charity shop is open early due to generous Buddies
Volunteers ready to sift through high quality donations
A charity shop in Paisley has opened up early to take donations - because of the quality of stuff people hand in.
The Shelter premises in the High Street was the first in Scotland to begin operations again, with most of the 35 shops still shut.
David Findlay, one of the charity’s national managers, said Paisley was a great choice to be at the forefront of lockdown easing.
He said: “The Paisley shop always receives volumes of donations of good quality.
“And we wanted to maximise the potential of people donating stock early to us.
“Usually we get a good volume of donations after Easter as people have the chance to clear out to get ready for summer.”
David was speaking as it emerged homelessness is still a huge problem across Renfrewshire.
In the year to the end of September, 855 families applied as being homeless in Renfrewshire.
Of these, 689 households were assessed as being homeless.
On September 30, there were 218 households in temporary accommodation across.
That figure was up 11 per cent - or 21 households - at the same time the previous year.
On the same date, there were 70 children in temporary accommodation in Renfrewshire, 27 per cent higher.
Shelter’s Paisley premises is only open for donations only for now, and not sales.
Full trading will begin in April 26. David added: “This stock is really important to us as it will support us ensuring we have fresh items to sell on the shop floor.
“By the time we properly open the doors, we will have missed out on four months of donations, as well as actual sales.”
In a bid to keep some donations coming in, Shelter launched a national Post and Pack scheme for people who don’t live near a shop.
So far more than 3,600 parcels have been received.
The Paisley shop always receives volumes of donations of good quality