British Red Cross re-opening charity shops across Sussex

The shops reopened after new safety measures were introduced by the charity to make sure its shops are safe for customers, volunteers and staff.

In store physical distancing, quarantining of new donations, and personal protective equipment for staff and volunteers are some of the new measures being put into place.

Paul Thompson, director of retail at the British Red Cross said: “The British Red Cross is putting plans in place to start re-opening retail shops from 22 June, in line with the government announcement to allow non-essential retail to open in England.

“Safety and wellbeing has been at the heart of all our decision making process throughout coronavirus, and this phased approach will allow us to continuously monitor, learn and adapt to keep our staff and customers safe. From managing the number of customers in our shops, adjusting layouts and encouraging contactless payments, we have extensively planned measures to ensure the safety of our people and supporters.

“This positive step forward will help us raise funds to continue our vital work, helping people in crisis and during COVID-19, whoever and wherever they are.”

The British Red Cross works to support some of the most vulnerable people in society, by giving them food and medicine, making sure refugees and asylum seekers are safe, and working with the NHS to support people going home from hospital.

To date, they have helped the NHS get 10,000 people home from hospital and settle safely back at home, distributed food to more than 30,000 people, and have set up a national support line for people finding it hard to cope and to link them with additional support in their local area.

The shops will be opening in phases – to check and call ahead if your local shop is open, and for opening times, visit www.redcross.org.uk/shop/find-a-charity-shop.