Rennie Grove and British Red Cross reopen charity shops in Dacorum after months of lockdown

There was a welcome sense of optimism yesterday (April 12) as non essential and outdoor hospitality businesses across Dacorum reopened for the first time in months.

Among those businesses that have reopened are charity shops, which are a major source of income for Rennie Grove Hospice Care and The British Red Cross in Dacorum.

Rennie Grove’s charity shops in Bennettsgate, Henry Wells Square, Maylands and Warners End, plus its specialist shop in Berkhamstead and its refurbished Tring shop, have now reopened.

Each shop will follow social distancing guidelines and ask that customers wear facemasks - unless exempt - and use the hand sanitiser provided.

The shops will open Monday to Saturday, accepting donations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Each shop only has a limited amount of space to store donations, which must be quarantined for safety purposes.

Bargains at bridal boutique

Director of Retail and Trading, Deborah Gould, said: "Our bridal boutique in the Berkhamsted shop is now open and we’ve got thousands of new dresses to sell at fantastic prices. For all those who can now think about getting married, it’s not to be missed!

"We were so excited to be able to open our doors once again to our customers yesterday. Our shop staff and volunteers had worked hard on bright, colourful spring windows to welcome everyone back and we were delighted with a record breaking first day’s trading.

“After such a long period closed, it’s so good to be raising money once again to fund the vital care our nurses provide, day and night.

"We look forward to seeing even more of our customers back and supporting the local community in the days and weeks ahead and to receiving donations of quality items to help us continue this record breaking start. Thank you all for your support.”

Appointments are available by emailing [email protected].

British Red Cross helping the planet and the charity

The British Red Cross shop on the High Street in Berkhamsted, also reopened on April 12, to benefit the community and the planet as well as the charity

The charity’s shops are a major source of income for the Red Cross, as well as being the charity’s most visible presence in many towns across the country.

Local retail manager Mark Dawson says they’re a vital community resource and is passionate in the belief that, despite a societal shift to online shopping, bricks and mortar charity shops provide a vital social function.

He said: “Red Cross shops, along with other charity shops across England and Wales, provide important volunteering opportunities which not only enable local people to give something back to their community, but also give volunteers an opportunity for regular social interaction and a strong sense of purpose, which is so important for wellbeing.

"Our shops all also have regular customers who pop in for a chat or to donate items and really value having a friendly space to connect with on their local high street.

“Many people who never volunteered in their lives before have played a vital role in community response to the pandemic and we hope that many of them may want to continue enjoying the ‘feel-good’ benefits of volunteering.

"Our shops provide a perfect opportunity to give a few hours a week in a welcoming environment and to do some good as part of a charity that’s not only involved in the local community but is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, with all of the personal and career development opportunities that that brings.

“Please do bring us your donations, we’re really grateful for them. And please do remember to Gift Aid if you’re eligible.

"We can’t wait to see all our customers again and as we’ve had a number of donation initiatives during lockdown we’ve got plenty of spring bargains for you to browse including great clothes, paperbacks and CDs, as well as furniture, blankets and rugs for your socially distanced outdoor picnics and barbecues!

"Every purchase made at one of our shops has huge environmental benefits in terms of reducing, reusing and recycling.”

MP welcomes reopening

The MP for Hemel Hempstead, Sir Mike Penning has welcomed the reopening of many businesses across the town.

He said: "I had a busy day yesterday, I went and got a hair cut at a new barbers in Old Town.

"Then my family and I went to the Old Bell in Old Town, Russel, the manager had it all very well organised.

"It was a good day, and night, although it was very cold!

"I wanted to support the local businesses and toast the Duke of Edinburgh who would have wanted his life to be celebrated.

"It was good to get things open, and I had a good time."