St Ann’s Shop Update

As the world starts to return to normal we're going to be opening a selection of shops, including our online ones in line with government guidelines.

By News Team on June 9, 2020

Hello, my name is Amanda Brooks and I’m the Head of the Trading Company at St Ann’s. In my role, I am responsible for the overall management of the shops, including St Ann’s online shops as well as the distribution centres, collections, house clearance services and the lottery.

In the last few months, we’ve had to temporarily close our shops and stop our trading services, in line with government guidelines. It has been a difficult time as our shops generate a lot of income that helps to support the hospice and the hard work carried out by staff who offer care and support to patients and their loved ones.

As lockdown restrictions lift, we’re now able to open our doors once more and from Monday 15th June we’ll be re-opening a select number of shops, including our online stores on eBay and Amazon.

We’ve taken great consideration and followed government guidelines to ensure our volunteers and customers can shop and be served safely. To do this we have had to make some changes in the way our shops will operate.

For now, only the Edgeley, Stockport, Heald Green, Altrincham and Romiley shops will be open, from 11am – 4pm from Monday to Saturday, except for the Romiley shop which will be open Tuesday to Saturday. The reduced shopping times means our team of volunteers, who will be briefed before taking the role on, can do a deep clean of the shops before and after every day they are open. Like most shops, we will be limiting the number of people entering and putting in safety measures, including floor markers to maintain two-metre distancing.

We’ve also had to adapt our donation policy and will now only be taking donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This way goods can be handled safely and isolated for 72 hours before they are placed within the shops. Sadly, customers won’t be able to try any items on, but we will be accepting returns, provided the item still has the labels attached and a receipt is presented.

Although our popular bridal shop in Cheadle will still remain closed, we are still accepting one hour or 1.5-hour appointments for the coming months, with a plan to re-open in August, provided the government says it is safe to do so. The number of bookings will be limited per day so our team can do a deep clean before and after each appointment. If you do want to book an appointment then email tradingadmin@sah.org.uk. We recommend doing this as soon as possible as our bridal shop is popular and bookings fill up quickly. 

Our collection and house clearance service will also be re-opening, however, we will need you to book an appointment to schedule these and we’ll be asking a number of questions before we can collect items or clear a property. To carry out a safe clearance we’re asking that you leave a key in a safe space and notify our drivers of the location of the key. We ask that you aren’t present during these times so that our drivers can safely enter the property and collect the items. Once clearance is complete the key will be returned to the safe location and you will be notified. For more information or to book an appointment please email tradingadmin@sah.org.uk. 

In the coming weeks, myself and my team will continue to review government guidelines to ensure our shops are safe for our volunteers and customers.

More than ever we need your support and every item purchased from us allows us to provide care for loved ones in our local community.

For more information on donations, shopping and house clearances, please email tradingadmin@sah.org.uk. 

Having the first shops open means we are one step closer in re-establishing our business meaning we can continue to provide the vital funds needed in supporting the great care the hospice provides. Amanda Brooks, Head of the Trading Company

Can you help? 

We urgently need volunteers to help run St Ann’s Hospice shops. We’ll be following government guidelines and providing each volunteer with training to ensure every team member remains safe.

Each till will be shielded and floor markers will help maintain two-metre distancing and in the bigger shops, we will be putting in one-way systems.

Our shops generate a large amount of money and by sparing a few hours each week, you can help provide a service to the local community whilst also raising much-needed funds for St Ann’s.  

Volunteers do need to be over 16 and we ask that those who are interested to fill out an application beforehand. Click the link below if you’d like to volunteer for St Ann’s, you’ll also find more information on what your role will be and how you can help St Ann’s.  

Do you want to volunteer for St Ann's

Our shops are in urgent need of volunteers, can you spare a few hours a week to help?

Volunteer Today