THE Beacon Centre in Sedgley is calling on people to get shopping and donating at their charity shop following the easing of lockdown rules for retailers.

The charity, which helps people with sight loss across the West Midlands, has been losing £12,000 a week during lockdown from the closure of its stores alone.

Beacon's shop at its Sedgley centre is one of two of its seven stores across the region that has reopened this week and bosses are calling on people to get buying and donating goods.

Beacon Centre retail manager Rob Evans said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and customers remains of upmost importance and as a result the shopping experience will be a little different than usual for our customers but we can’t wait to welcome them back.

“People’s support, whether purchasing an item from one of our shops or donating good quality items we can sell on will help us to continue to support the most vulnerable people in our community.”

The Sedgley store will be open on Tuesdays to Saturdays between 9am and 3.30pm with a raft of social distancing measures in place.

All donated items will be left untouched for 72 hours and those making donations will be asked to leave their details and confirm that neither they or anyone in their household has had any coronavirus symptoms within the last 14 days.

Only six customers will be allowed in at any one time and customers will be asked to sanitise their hands on entering the shops.

Sight friendly markings and plastic screens have been installed and the changing rooms will also not be in use.

Beacon has also reintroduced its furniture donation collection service and anyone wishing to donate should call call 01902 880 111.