The shops will be open for donations only on April 8^th, 9^th and 10^th between 9.30 am and 4pm.  There is a holding cage at each shop for people to drop their donations straight into. This is emptied daily so donations can be taken to the warehouse for processing before being put out on the shelves.

Penny Russell, Area Retail Manager at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “It’s been a really difficult year for our shops and our staff and volunteers have proved how flexible they are, adapting quickly to all the new arrangements and to frequent changes throughout the pandemic.

“We’re so grateful to all our loyal customers who have stood by us, saved donations for us  and returned to support our shops whenever we’ve been allowed to reopen. We really appreciate your support.

“Our shops are at the heart of communities across the city and county so we’re really looking forward to being open so we can welcome our customers again.”

Since the first lockdown, each shop has been adapted along with Covid-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of customers, staff and volunteers. Each has a hand sanitiser station on entry, which customers are asked to use. Inside, the floor is marked out with social distancing measures, and a one-way system in place for browsing the stock.

Collette Priest, who manages the Ruddington shop, said: “Like all the other managers I’m looking forward to getting back to my lovely volunteers and our amazing customers and to making some much-needed money for the hospice.”

Subject to the lifting of restrictions, the hospice is also hoping to reinstate its festive fair later in the year.

Nottinghamshire Hospice shops in Burton Joyce, Blidworth, Calverton, Mapperley, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Ruddington, Sherwood, West Bridgford and Wollaton, are all set to reopen. The Sutton in Ashfield store remains temporarily closed pending recruitment of a new manager. Find your local hospice shop here.