Market Rasen charity shop back in business

Shop manager Diane Cresswell is delighted to be open again

To entice shoppers back, there’s 30 per cent off any total purchases of more than £10.

Risk assessments have been carried out, the shops have been deep-cleaned, till screens have been erected, with card-only payments and hand sanitiser stations.

Floor markings and a traffic light entry system are in place – giving confidence to the staff and customers.

Bargains galore at Age Uk Lindsey shop - with a 30% discount for purchases totalling £10 or more

The changing rooms are also closed, with refunds allowed on production of the receipt and payment card.

Needing time to catch up with donations, and having a minimum of staff, the shop is initially opening between 10am and 12.30pm and 1pm until 3.30pm.

Three shoppers are allowed in the store at any one time.

Shop manager, Diane Cresswell is asking donors to be patient – the charity is quarantining all donations, and even the bags they are in, for 72 hours before touching them.

There is a storage area clearly marked in the shop for donations to be left and people are asked not to leave bags outside.

For donations of larger items, or if shoppers have any enquiries, they can call the charity’s head office on 01507 524242.

Shops Area Manager for Age UK Lindsey Sarah Roberts said: “We are so looking forward to welcoming back our customers.

“The staff have been working hard to replenish the shops with some fabulous new items – all out of season stock has been removed, rails, shelving and display areas have been refreshed and we are now moving full steam ahead into what we hope will be a long hot summer.

“We have a lot of pre-loved items all desperate for new homes and as an incentive we have 30 per cent off any transactions collectively totalling over £10.

“There are many bargains to be had.”

For manager Diane Cresswell reopening marks a return to work from furlough and she is delighted.

Diane reported a busy day of trading on the first day of opening, with a single sale of a sofa and chairs earning the charity £180 towards its vital services.

“It’s good to be back and yes we’ve got some great bargains, all fantastic quality,” added Diane.