A CHARITY offering vital services in West Cumbria say loyal customers have responded well as they begin to open their shop doors again.

Hospice at Home West Cumbria opened its Workington branch last week and say they have done really well in the days since opening.

They are preparing to reopen their Whitehaven shop on Friday.

Hayley McKay, head of marketing at the charity, said numerous steps had been taken to ensure that staff and customers remain safe.

She said: "Supervisors were brought back and we deep cleaned everything downstairs and upstairs, followed back to work guidelines, fitted hand sanitisers, we wear face coverings and have a screen at the till, we have a one-way system around the shops and floor markings showing 2metre social distancing and we will limit people in the shop."

She added that they have had to redo their risk assessments several times to keep up with the constantly changing government guidance, but feels they are going above and beyond to keep everyone safe.

Hayley said: "We are going above and beyond the advice. They advise not touching items for 72 hours then they changed it to 48 hours, but we are sticking to 72 hours before they are sorted through. All clothes will be steamed, as it sanitizes them, and any bric-a-brac is cleaned and put out, as is books and cds. There is plenty of sanitiser for hands when browsing."

She added all staff have been briefed on the changes and the touch points in the shop are cleaned regularly.

She said: "Every single thing in the shop has been taken down and cleaned. It's a very fresh shop. I can't thank volunteers and supervisors enough in the preparation to reopen."

They are not currently accepting donations, but hope to be able to take donations at the end of August. Hayley said that staff are currently storing items in their spare rooms.

Hayley said: "We will find our feet and how to manage the new way of working then manage the donations. We really do appreciate people holding on to things. We are taking a sensible approach in a co-ordinated way."

Hayley added: "Our thanks to all our volunteers and supervisors, they have done a cracking job. Anybody that would like to become a volunteer is very welcome. We are looking for volunteers in our Workington and Whitehaven offices. If anyone does have time to spare email us at: info@hhwc.org.uk "