BARGAIN hunters in Wem will be in for a treat with the reopening of Severn Hospice's branch in the town.

The charity closed all 28 of its shops across Shropshire and Wales at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown meant the charity lost the ability to raise £100,000 a week.

Since June the shops have gradually been reopening and now the hospice, which has worked hard making its shops Covid-secure, plans to reopen its Wem shop next week.

Ross Henderson, the hospice's head of retail said he was looking forward to the future.

"Our shops generate more than £1million for us each year, money which allows us to support families living with incurable illness and who need our care," he said.

"Their closure was a real blow, but we have been reopening them gradually and now that we are able to open another 12 over the next couple of weeks, it means we can get back to doing what we do best.

"We have missed our customers and we can't wait to see them. They should be confident that the shops are Covid-secure.

"There's hand sanitiser available and till screens and social distancing measures are in place. We also have a customer limit in every shop."

The Wem shop will open on Friday, August 7 and will be accepting donations.

"We are also taking donations at our shops," added Ross. "But please give us a call and book an appointment first.

"The communities where we trade have been extremely generous with donations; and we want to make sure we can accommodate as many donors as possible.

"We are particularly in need of clothing and homewares, and remember – if you wouldn't buy it, we can't sell it."

Appointments to donate to any of Severn Hospice's shops can be made by calling 01743 216633, Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm.