INDEPENDENT Suffolk charity St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the staggered re-opening of its charity shops throughout East Anglia following a temporary closure due to COVID-19.

From today St Elizabeth Hospice is commencing a phased reopening of its charity shops beginning with its Martlesham Heath and Holywells Retail Centres and Heath Road charity shop.

Customers will be able to visit the three shops and good quality donations will only be accepted at Martlesham and Holywells between 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. These openings will be followed by the re-opening of further stores throughout July, including Zest Ipswich, Stowmarket and Halesworth, all of which will be adhering to governmental COVID-19 guidelines concerning social distancing

For all customers hand sanitiser will be available upon entering and leaving the shop. Customers must adhere to the social distancing rules when shopping and contactless payments are encouraged.

Hannah Bloom, Director of Income Generation at St Elizabeth Hospice, said:

“In March, we made the decision to close all 31 of our retail shops across East Anglia in accordance with the Government’s guidance concerning the coronavirus outbreak.

“Now, following careful consideration, we are delighted to be able to begin welcoming back customers and to once again be open to receiving their generous donations, however, we must emphasise that all who visit our shops and retail centres must obey our social distancing guidelines.”

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Centered on an individual’s needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

Last year, the hospice cared for more than 3,000 Suffolk patients and their families at a cost of £10.5m, of which 75% was raised by the community through St Elizabeth Hospice’s retail shops and local fundraising activities which are now impossible due to social distancing and self-isolation.

During the lockdown, the hospice launched its #HereTogether campaign, an appeal which aimed to counteract the financial impact of Coronavirus on the charity. After lockdown saw the closure of all its 31 retail shops and postponing of all fundraising activities which are vital income sources needed to support the provision of its end of life care and bereavement services.

Hannah added:

“The local community is such a great support to the work we do here at the hospice and that has continued during the lockdown, particularly with the fantastic response we have had to our #HereTogether appeal.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters and volunteers and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.”

For full information on all St Elizabeth Hospice shop re-openings please visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/coronavirus-information/shop-information/.

To donate towards St Elizabeth hospice’s #HereTogether campaign visit their JustGiving Page or to find out more call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.