Linlithgow and South Queensferry charity shops “bursting at the seams” as customers return

Deriel Watt, area business manager for the shops in West Lothian, said: “As well as the volume of donations, due to post lockdown safety regulations, all stock must be quarantined for 72 hours before it can be sorted, which takes up valuable space in the shop; a number of volunteers have not yet returned to the charity which means less hands to sort donations, and fewer staff and volunteers are able to work together due to social distancing - so it’s not surprising that some stores have found themselves bursting at the seams.”

To help manage this, the charity is advising customers to call their local store before taking any donations to ensure the shop is able to take the items.

Deriel continued: “When items are donated to a shop our colleagues will be wearing PPE - gloves and aprons – and they will quarantine the goods in a safe and secure storage area for 72 hours.

“Each item will be date stamped so we know exactly when it came in to the shop. After the quarantine period is over the goods will be put out on the shop floor.”