Re-opened charity shop ready for surge
A Perth charity shop is expecting a surge in donations this week after reopening for the first time since the start of lockdown.
The Sense Scotland shop on Scott Street began to welcome back customers yesterday (July 6) and was one of only seven outlets to initially reopen in a pilot approach.
The disability services and awareness charity was already taking steps to have selected shops ready when the Scottish Government gave the green light to reopen.
With safety the paramount consideration, appropriate measures have been put in place, including social distancing markers, till shields, one-way systems and easy availability of hand sanitiser.
Also, donations will be subject to a 72-hour ‘quarantine’to minimise risk.
Clothes will be steam cleaned and furniture cleaned and checked to revolve quality mark standards. Outstanding deliveries and collection of furniture will be prioritised before new items can be processed.
Sense Scotland head of retail, Sue Blair, said: “When the coronavirus pandemic unfolded it became clear that plans we had to maximise income from shops this year were not going to happen, and that a significant loss of income was on the cards.
“Together with the cancellation of fundraising events we stand to lose around £1 million, money which would have gone to helping support disabled people live meaningful and independent lives.
“What has been encouraging however, is the level of interest from customers about when we are reopening.
“When we’ve been in a shop carrying out maintenance there’s always someone knocking the window or popping their head in to ask when we’ll be back.”
Sue added:“Whilst the shops have been closed we’ve been planning how to reopen safely and have looked at other ways of raising income, including the option to buy on eBay, which will be up and running soon.”