SHOPS that sell goods to fundraise for St Luke's Hospice will be opening their doors on Monday, 12 April, as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

St Luke's will be re-opening all its retail outlets, as well as a new shop in Rayleigh, while enforcing strict social distancing measures.

All 12 of the charity's retail outlets, including the Warehouse on Pipps Hill Industrial Estate in Basildon, will operate during their standard trading hours of 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

The new shop, located on Rayleigh High Street, will also operate between standard trading hours and will sell a range of new and pre-loved furniture and electrical items.

Anyone wishing to donate items is asked to please call their local shop in advance of visiting to check the shop's capacity for that day to prevent any disappointment.

For the safety of staff, volunteers and customers the shops will be enforcing a number of new rules:

· Only a limited number of shoppers will be admitted in the shops at one time

· Customers will be directed to use provided hand sanitiser before entry and wear a mask.

David Emery, Head of Retail at St. Luke's Hospice says: "The opening up of our shops is very welcome, but our priority is the safety of our staff, volunteers and customers.

"We know our wonderful supporters have been holding onto donations for us, waiting for our shops to re-open. We're so grateful for the patience they have shown. The income generated from our shops is vital to sustaining our care for patients and we look forward to seeing many friends of the Hospice."

To maintain high hygiene standards, all donated items will be quarantined for 72 hours and sanitised before they are ready to be sold.

To find your local St Luke's Hospice shop, click here.