Three Age UK charity shops across Northamptonshire will reopen next week

The charity has chosen larger shops where social distancing can be implemented safely
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As lockdown restrictions ease, more of the county’s charity shops are preparing to reopen.

Age UK Northamptonshire will open the largest three of its eight shops on Monday (July 6).

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The Kingsthorpe branch in Alexandra Terrace, the Northampton town centre shop in St Giles’ Street and the Kettering store in Stamford Road will all reopen.

Three Age UK Northants shops will reopen soon.Three Age UK Northants shops will reopen soon.
Three Age UK Northants shops will reopen soon.

Opening hours have been modified, a limited number of people will be allowed in, donations will be put into quarantine and social distancing will be implemented to ensure the shops are Covid-secure.

Chris Duff, Age UK Northamptonshire’s chief executive, said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is of utmost importance, especially given the demographic of people we work so hard to support.

“It’s with great pleasure that we are able to open the first of our shops and will continue to monitor guidance to ensure we reopen the remaining shops at the right time.”

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Yvette Prior, shops coordinator, added: “We’ve been working hard to prepare the three shops for opening and to make them safe for customers, staff and volunteers.

A limited number of customers will be allowed into the stores at any one time.A limited number of customers will be allowed into the stores at any one time.
A limited number of customers will be allowed into the stores at any one time.

“We are so excited to reopen and interact with our customers again.

“We have lots of lovely summer stock including some great vintage items.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest while we’ve been preparing so we are looking forward to trading again.”

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Kingsthorpe and St Giles’ Street will be open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am until 4pm and Kettering will be open 9.30am until 3.30pm on the same days.

A maximum of six customers will be allowed in the Northampton town centre branch and only four will be allowed in the Kingsthorpe and Kettering shops.

Changing rooms will be closed and although customers can pay cash they will be encouraged to use card payments.

Donations of good quality clothes, books and homeware are welcome and will go into quarantine before they are handled and will be steamed, cleaned and sanitised before being sold.

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The charity’s Covid-19 appeal to support their services such as doorstep deliveries, is still open. Donations can be made on its JustGiving page.

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