Martlets delighted to be able to reopen its vital charity shops this week

The charity, which provides hospice care and a range of support to terminally ill people across the city and beyond, had to close its shops during the lockdown and cancel crucial fundraising events. All of this while the charity said the need for its hospice care and support has been 'greater than ever'.

A spokesman said: "Due to the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing measures, many people with a terminal illness are having to cope with long periods of isolation. They may also have decided not to go to hospital for treatment or visit their GP as often. This means the team at Martlets are working harder than ever to reach and support many more people with complex needs."

On Monday, April 12, all seven Martlets charity shops reopened and a spokesman said the feedback so far was that they have all been 'incredibly busy'. The shops that have reopened include the furniture showroom in Old Shoreham Road, Hove; the ‘high street shop’ on Blatchington Road, Hove; the vintage store on Church Street and the busy stores of London Road and Western Road in Brighton Woodingdean and Peacehaven also have large, community-focused shops that sell everything from toys to furniture.

Rob Parker, Martlets area sales manager, said: "Our charity shops are an important part of community life across our area and we have many regulars and volunteers who have missed coming to our stores to support Martlets and hunt for those quality items.

“As a charity we need our shops to help generate much-needed income as every penny of profit goes into helping Martlets provide life-changing hospice care to patients and their families in and around Brighton and Hove and the surrounding areas.”

Martlets said it was accepting donations currently in all of its shops, except Peacehaven, but added that it may have to temporarily stop accepting at some shops soon to clear the backlog.

The charity advised people to call whichever shop they wish to donate to before travelling to check. The direct shop telephone numbers are available on the website here www.martlets.org.uk/find-a-shop.

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