A charity has been forced to delay the opening of a new shop in Keswick because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The doors to the British Heart Foundation store in Museum Square were due to be thrown open to the public last week, but will remain firmly closed until a date to be decided.
“It’s disappointing but obviously keeping people safe comes first,” said Elizabeth Dyet, volunteering manager with the BHF.
“We have not had a presence in the town before and we have wanted to have a shop in Keswick for a long time and that is happening now.”
She said the coronavirus pandemic has had a “devastating impact” on the charity’s income, so to be planning the opening of a new shop was exciting.
“The crisis has resulted in a potential £50 million cut in research funding and the delay of important scientific breakthroughs.
“There has been so much positivity towards us opening in Keswick,” said Elizabeth. “We can’t wait to open and to get things moving forward once again.”
She is appealing for local people to give the gift of time and become volunteers in the shop.
They will be able to help in a wide range of roles, such as customer service assistant and department specialists who co-ordinate items and create seasonal displays. Other roles include stock collection drivers, stock generators and recruiters who get out and about in the community.
The shop will open with measures in place to keep staff, volunteers and customers safe. This includes social distancing on the shop floor, protective equipment for staff and volunteers, contact-free collections and the resting of donated items.
Each pound raised in BHF shops helps the charity to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases, many of whom are at increased risk from COVID-19.
For more information on how to get involved contact Elizabeth on 07584 376983 or email [email protected]