Leeds homelessness charity Emmaus reopens shops after 12-week closure

Emmaus Leeds has reopened both its large secondhand superstore on St Mary’s Street and furniture stall at Kirkgate Market.

The majority of funds needed to support the charity’s work are generated by selling second-hand furniture, household goods, electrical appliances, bric-a-brac and clothing.

Emmaus Leeds provides a home, meaningful work, training and support to people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion. The charity temporarily suspended all retail operations 12 weeks ago to ensure the safety of its residents, staff, volunteers, customers and the local community.

To prepare for re-opening, the Emmaus Leeds team have installed safety measures, hand sanitiser points and markings to direct customers. With new measures in place, Emmaus Leeds has started its phased re-opening that also includes collections of furniture and electrical appliances.

Gina Morrison, retail and business manager at Emmaus Leeds, said: “We have followed all of the advice and guidance available and have implemented new measures to keep everyone safe. We are limiting the number of customers at any one time to maintain social distancing and have changed the layout in our shops to accommodate this.

“Our first week back open went very well and we’re ready for welcoming more of our customers back into our Emmaus Leeds shops. We’ve started collecting furniture and from July we will also be accepting other household donations so people will be able to drop-off items at our Secondhand Superstore.”

Due to the 12-week closure, Emmaus Leeds cannot receive drop-off donations of clothes and bric-a-brac but has started accepting donations of furniture and electrical appliances.

For people wanting to donate smaller items to Emmaus, the charity is asking that they hold on to them and if possible, ensure they are cleaned and packed in bags or boxes and then secured with tape and labelled.

To find out more about the work of Emmaus Leeds visit: www.emmaus.org.uk/leeds For more information or get involved as a volunteer call 0113 248 4288 or visit Emmaus Leeds at St Mary’s Street, Leeds, LS9 7DP.

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