Charity shops re-open with new safety measures
Charity shops are back in business for the first time in nine weeks - but with new safety measures.
The Hanger superstore in Somercotes in Derbyshire raises money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.
It believe's it has lost more than two million pounds since March.
New safety measures have been brought at a cost, to get the shops re-opened.
More than £22,000 has been spent on installing screens, hand sanitiser stations, social distancing signage and other health and safety measures in its network of shops.
On top of the cost, all the donated goods they receive will have to go into special quarantine pens.
The charity shop is also facing staff shortages with the majority of the volunteers being from the older age group.
It's a similar problem faced by other charities, including Age UK, who are concerned that when they re-open in a few weeks, they'll have lost a lot volunteers, with many of the current ones aged 70 plus or shielding.
Leicestershire and Rutland Age UK, Executive Director Tony Donovan says their volunteers play a 'huge role' and if don't come back they will have a 'problem'.
In Cannock in Staffordshire - some stores must wait till later in the month to re-open.
Goods continue to flood in to the Newlife superstore. So much so, it's had to take on two new warehouses.
The money it makes pays for equipment for disabled children. And re-opening can't come a moment too soon.
Newlife, CEO Shelia Brown says they stores being closed have 'cut of the oxygen' and made it difficult to help families.
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