St Luke’s Hospice has unveiled plans for the re-launch of its popular retail operations.
The charity has a chain of 14 shops across Sheffield – everywhere from Stocksbridge in the north to Crystal Peaks in the south – as well as eBay and Amazon online shops.
Altogether, the retail operations raise almost £3 million annually towards the more than £7.5 million that needs to be raised every year to maintain services for the terminally ill people of Sheffield and their families.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, all the St Luke’s retail operations were fully suspended.
But now the charity’s retail team is gearing up for a phased return of all its services, following all government guidelines on safe trading.
Already back are the St Luke’s online eBay and Amazon shop, offering customers a chance to browse and buy online.
The next part of the operation to resume will be the St Luke’s Donation Centre at Fieldhouse Way, near Meadowhall, which opens for all non-furniture donations from June 15.
A fully staffed drive through service will be in operation, launched to ensure the continued safety of both the St Luke’s team and visitors.
Coinciding with this date, the St Luke’s donation line will re-open at the same time on 0114 2357562 for people wanting to arrange furniture collections.
There will also be a series of special non-furniture donation open days – the first at St Luke’s Clifford House in Ecclesall Road South on Tuesday, June 16 from 10am to 2pm and the second at the St Luke’s Chapeltown shop on Thursday, June 18, again from 10am to 2pm.
Further non-furniture donation open days will be held at St Luke’s Clifford House on June 23, the Woodseats shop on June 24, the Gleadless shop on June 25 and Stocksbridge shop on June 26.
“We are very aware that during lockdown, our supporters have been gathering together items for donation and those donations are now going to be vital to the success of our re-launch,” said St Luke’s Head of Retail Marie Egerton.
“Now is the time to get those unwanted items together and drop them off at our Donation Centre or any of our donation open days across the city, the safe and efficient way to support our shops as we prepare to get the doors open again.”
The first shop to open, with all new social distancing guidelines in place, will be Crookes on June 29, with a phased programme for the other stores to follow.
“Obviously, our primary concern has to be the safety of our staff and customers and that means there will have to be some changes in the way we all shop,” said Marie.
“We have followed all official guidelines and have developed a strategy that will allow our retail operations to resume.
“We do look forward very much to welcoming back all our customers and hope that they will be both patient and supportive as we adjust to these unusual trading conditions.”
