British Red Cross to start re-opening charity shops from 22 June with extensive new safety measures

The British Red Cross will be re-opening its charity shops in phases from 22 June, following Government guidelines allowing non-essential retail to open in England. 

Extensive new safety measures have been implemented by the charity to make sure its shops are safe for customers, volunteers and staff. To check and call ahead if your local shop is open, visit www.redcross.org.uk/shop/find-a-charity-shop

In store physical distancing, quarantining of new donations, and personal protective equipment for staff and volunteers, are just some of the new measures being put into place to ensure the highest level of safety and wellbeing for all staff and visitors. 

Buying and donating to British Red Cross shops helps support the charity’s work - helping people in crisis in the UK and around the world. Funds generated from items sold in the charity’s network of shops are especially vital right now, as the Red Cross supports some of the most vulnerable people affected by Covid-19.  

British Red Cross volunteers and staff are putting kindness into action on the frontline to tackle coronavirus. To date, they have helped the NHS get 10,000 people home from hospital and settle safely back at  home, distributed food to over 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. 

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.”

Notes to editors

• The British Red Cross is encouraging people to call ahead before visiting, to check if your local  shop is open. Visit www.redcross.org.uk/shop/find-a-charity-shop 
• The British Red Cross has been putting kindness into action to support those who need it most through this uncertain time.  From helping to get food and medicine to vulnerable people’s doorsteps, making sure refugees and people seeking asylum are safe, and working with the NHS to support people to get home from hospital, the charities work is ever more vital in these difficult times.  
• For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them recover and move on with their lives. 
• To give help to the British Red Cross or get help for yourself, friend or family member visit redcross.org.uk

For more information

Email: AliceOwen@redcross.org.uk

Contact Number: 07710 391 703