The biggest financial blow to Pendleside Hospice during the Covid-19 has been the effect the pandemic has had on the revenue from the hospice’s nine charity shops and its furniture store.

 

The series of lockdowns meant complete closure for many weeks while the army of volunteers who staff the outlets has been severely hit because many have had to shield at home due to being the most vulnerable to catching the virus.

 

It has meant the previous annual revenue of £650,000 from the shops has been severely decimated.

 

Even between the lockdowns and since not all the shops have been open and when they have they have only opened for reduced hours because of the lack of volunteers.

 

But newly-appointed volunteer co-ordinator Lisa Clarke said: “We have now reopened the last of our nine shops, the one in Earby, so things are starting to look up again.

 

“But we still need a good number of volunteers right across the Burnley and Pendle areas to allow us to return to the opening hours we were able to offer to our customers pre-covid.”

 

It’s hoped all shops will be open all day Monday to Saturday in the near future and will be offering a good turnaround of items on a regular basis following the launch of the new collection and distribution centre at Reedley.

 

Helen McVey, Pendleside’s chief executive, said: “The closure of our shops during the last 16 months has had a massive impact on our income. The money they previously raised made a huge contribution to patient care and we need to get back to that.

 

“Now that the last of the shops in Earby has reopened, hopefully, the recovery will be soon but it does depend to a high degree on volunteers coming forward to help serve in the shops. Even if people can only offer a few hours on one day it would be greatly appreciated.”

 

The Pendleside shops are based in Keirby Walk, Burnley; Duke Bar, Burnley; Burnley Road, Padiham; Scotland Road, Nelson; Victoria Road, Earby; Dockray Street, Colne; Halifax Road, Brierfield; Butterfield Cottage, off Gisburn Road, Barrowford; and Church Street, Barnoldswick.

 

To apply to be a volunteer please ring Lisa Clarke, Volunteer Coordinator 01282 440159 or email [email protected]. Alternatively call in at one of the shops.