Coronavirus: Springhill Hospice closes charity shops

Springhill Hospice has closed all of its charity shops with immediate effect to minimise the risk of coronavirus spreading to service users, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Earlier this week, the hospice reduced the opening hours of its charity shops to allow for more thorough cleaning, and implemented a quarantine period after accepting donations to minimise the risk of potential infection. 

After reviewing daily takings on Wednesday 18 March following temporary closures in several shops, it has been decided that the shops will close to the public for the foreseeable future.

The hospice requires £3.2million a year – or £8,928 every day – to remain open.

A statement released by Springhill Hospice said: “At Springhill Hospice, we are listening closely to government guidance and are continually reviewing the potential impact of coronavirus and responding appropriately. Whilst no cases of coronavirus have been identified at Springhill Hospice or any of its shops, we have taken a number of measures in order to minimise any risk to our service users, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

“We have also supported those staff and volunteers who have chosen to self-isolate, or those who need to “social-distance” themselves from others, whilst remaining staff have worked hard to keep the shops open.

“Whilst we have tried our utmost to keep our shops open, we have reached a point where this is no longer feasible and have made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of our shops, with the exception of the Emporium, until further notice.

“On Wednesday 18 March, having already made some temporary closures in a number of our shops, we reviewed the daily takings, which ranged from £134 to only 50p. Clearly this situation is unsustainable for our retail network.

“With immediate effect, the Springhill Hospice charity shops in Heywood, Rochdale town centre, Oldham Road, Middleton, Whitworth and Littleborough will close to the public for the foreseeable future.

“Our Emporium, based on Jacksons Corner, Molesworth Street will remain open to the public for those supporters who still wish to make a donation and shop with us.

“Staff who remain able to work will work to prepare the shops for reopening, as well as undertaking training and providing relief support at the hospice, if required.

“Whilst the situation is changing rapidly, we are already feeling the effects of this crisis on our financial position. We have taken action now to limit any non-essential expenditure across the hospice and continue to assess the impact on our income generation. Today’s situation on the high street, and the difficult decision we have made to temporarily close our shops in response to coronavirus, highlights the challenging times we now face.

“As we rely on our shops and fundraising to raise over £2.7million each year to continue caring for our community, this remains an uncertain and critical time for Springhill. Our focus remains, as always, on the continuation of care to our patients and the support of our local community is more important than ever.

“We know that many of our supporters will be facing uncertainty and worry in their own lives. We ask that you do not to forget about your local hospice and the members of your community who still require our care. 

“We hope that, if you can, you continue to show your support to help Springhill continue its vital work.”

More details about Springhill’s strategy in dealing with coronavirus are available at:

• https://springhill.org.uk/coronavirus

If you are in a position to be able to help provide care to the local community at this difficult time, you can make a donation by visiting:

• https://springhill.org.uk/donate-to-us