Midhurst charity shop to reopen - Volunteers ‘hoping to make up for lost time’

Macmillan Cancer Support Shop will be ‘full of bargains’ when it reopens in North Street on Monday.

Caroline Young, assistant manager, said: “We have all really missed our Midhurst customers and we can’t wait to see them again.

“The people of Midhurst have always been really generous and we need them now more than ever following the challenges Macmillan has faced during Covid-19.”

Initially, the charity shop must restrict the customer numbers, in line with Covid-19 rules, and will have to quarantine all donations for 48 hours.

Volunteer Anna Luttman-Johnson said: “Staff are asking that all donors bear this in mind when offering contributions of no more than two black bags (or equivalent) to avoid the shop being inundated.

“For the time being, [we] are not taking books, bric a brac or toys because of lack of space, however, autumn/winter clothes would be hugely appreciated because their stock is low as a result of being shut for so long.

“We hope to make up for the months we have been left in limbo.”

The staff are ‘delighted to be back in business’ and have been heartened by the support they have been given.

The shop is supporting the work of the local Midhurst team of Macmillan nurses, who cover a 20 miles radius of the town, practicing their ‘unique palliative care’ in nursing more than 500 patients who are suffering from cancer.

Ms Luttman-Johnson added: “The volunteers, who are keen to return to work, are being hampered by a dictat which insists that no-one over the age of 70 can do so, however this is being fought vigorously by those affected, because they are in the majority.

“The pop-up shop on the pavement, which has been such a success, will continue, weather permitting, so when there is a queue to enter the shop, people can browse the huge selection of good quality clothes at bargain prices while they wait.”

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