Barnardo’s Fairford Leys charity shop to reopen

The children’s charity was forced to cancel its fundraising events and close all of its 700 stores when the UK went into lockdown in March, resulting in a £30millon drop in income in the same month.

In June, following the government’s decision to allow for the reopening of shops in England, Barnardo’s was able to begin a phased reopening of its stores.

With just a handful still remaining shut, Barnardo’s has said it plans to reopen its Fairford Leys store in Wedgewood Street on Monday 2nd November.

Luke Grogan, Barnardo’s Area Business Manager, said: “We are delighted that we soon will be able to welcome customers back to our Fairford Leys charity store.

“We know the past few months have been very difficult for our staff, volunteers and customers. Barnardo’s has 700 shops across the UK and they each play a hugely important role in funding our services which support vulnerable children and families in many different ways.

“Closing all them all when the UK went into lockdown in March had a significant impact on our ability to raise funds for those services which is why we have been so keen to reopen our stores as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Like other retailers, Barnardo’s has introduced safety measures including hand sanitisers and limits on the number of shoppers allowed through the doors at one time. All donations are then quarantined before being sorted.

Because so many people have used lockdown as an opportunity to have a clear-out, the charity is suggesting potential donors ring ahead to check their local store has the capacity to accept donations.

To contact Barnardo’s Fairford Leys store at 50 Wedgewood St, Aylesbury, HP19 7HL, please call 01296 435511.