A new charity shop threw open its doors to the shopping public in Keswick yesterday – the day the country’s second lockdown came to an end.
The British Heart Foundation opened its Museum Square store and has called on residents to support it in raising funds for lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.
Plans to open the shop last month had been put on hold after the announcement of a second lockdown across England.
The charity says it is “thrilled” to finally be opening the new shop as it seeks to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis on its income.
The BHF hopes people will show support by donating good quality items or popping in to snap up a bargain.
Following the temporary closure of the BHF’s 730 shops and stores across the UK earlier this year, and during the most recent lockdown, the charity estimates the crisis has been costing it around £10 million a month.
This will reduce its future funding for research and scientific breakthroughs.
The BHF Keswick shop has measures in place to keep staff, volunteers and customers safe.
Customers will be asked to social distance all staff and volunteers have been provided with protective equipment, and a contact free donation point has been set up.
BHF area manager Kathryn Haunch said: “We are thrilled to be opening our doors to the Keswick community.
“We want to encourage as many people as possible to come and see the great bargains on offer. Every item sold will help the BHF fund lifesaving research.
“Every pound raised in our shops helps us to support the 930,000 people in the North West living with heart and circulatory diseases, many of whom are at increased risk from COVID-19.”
All donations will be ‘rested’ for 48 hours before being placed on the shop floor.