BARGAIN hunters in Oswestry are being promised a warm welcome when a Shropshire charity reopens its second shop this week.

Severn Hospice is set to open its shop in English Walls on Friday, July 10, for the first time since it closed its doors in March because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The charity was forced to close all 28 of its community shops when the Covid-19 pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown in March.

Oswestry's store will become the second to reopen, following the charity's shop in Whitchurch which reopened in June.

Emily Jones, community shop manager said she was looking forward to the reopening.

"We can't wait to see our old and new customers come through the doors of our shop in Oswestry when we reopen," she said. "We really have missed them – they really make a difference.

"We've made sure the shop is totally Covid-19 secure.

"There will be till screens, hand sanitisers and markings on the floor to make sure that everyone maintains social distancing and there will also be limits on the number of people allowed in the shop at any one time.

"We want everyone to feel safe when they visit our shops."

The shops generate more than £1 million each year for the charity, which provides care to people living with incurable illness in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.

Severn Hospice estimates that the pandemic has resulted in a loss of £100,000-a-week in fundraising ability.

The charity has had to introduce an 'appointments only' system for people dropping off their bags.

The hotline is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and allocates time slots for people to drop off their donations.

Anyone wanting to donate quality clothes, toys, books and homeware should call 01743 216633.

The Oswestry shop will be open 10am to 3pm, from Monday to Saturday.