DOGS Trust has opened its store in Stratford – one of the first in the country to reopen.
The charity has opened six shops with safety measures including reduced opening hours, social distancing requirements, hand sanitising stations and screens at till points.
Staff and volunteers are also wearing PPE including masks and gloves, and donations will be quarantined for 72 hours before being sold.
The shop on Union Street is currently unable to take furniture items along with books, soft toys and children’s games.
Manager Diane Walden said: “We are really excited to welcome our supporters back – albeit from a safe distance. It is great to be able to get our shops back up and running again, after so many of our fundraising activities have been impacted by the recent crisis. Now more than ever we will be relying on the generosity of the dog-loving public to help us through these uncertain times, as demand for our frontline services looks only set to increase in the coming months.
“Our supporters are vital to the continued work of Dogs Trust and we are so grateful to them for everything they do for us. In order to maintain social distancing, for the moment we have had to reduce the number of supporters allowed in the shop at one time, limit our workforce to essential staff, and ask that supporters refrain from bringing their canine friends with them when visiting for the time being. If you are in any doubt then please do get in touch with us or visit our website for more information.”
Visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/shopping/charityshops for more information.
