Queenscourt announces phased re-opening of its shops as they come out of lockdown

1st July 2020

After being closed for three months due to Covid-19 restrictions, Queenscourt is delighted to announce that it is beginning to re-open its retail outlets and looks forward to welcoming customers old and new.

All of its shops closed their doors on March 24th as directed by the Government but since it was announced that non-essential shops can now re-open, Queenscourt’s Retail Team have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that its shops are Covid-19 secure.

The Queenscourt Retail Team are also putting appropriate measures in place to ensure that all donations received are adequately quarantined before being put out for sale.

With so much to be done to meet these requirements, the hospice had to take a phased approach to the re-opening of its shops so that it can be sure of the safety of its staff, volunteers and of course its customers.

The first shop to re-open, with new hours of 10am to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday, will be its Churchtown store, welcoming its first customers back tomorrow, July 2nd. Due to quarantine restrictions donations will NOT be able to be accepted at this shop at the present time.

However, for all of you who have been saving items for Queenscourt, its neighbouring Bispham Road shop in Churchtown is also re-opening tomorrow, July 2nd but only as a ‘Donation Station’, again between 10am and 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

It is therefore politely asked that supporters drop anything they would like to donate to Queenscourt at the Bispham Road Donation Station so that all items can be properly quarantined before being sold.

As for Queenscourt’s other shops, its Chapel Street store in Southport will be re-opening on Tuesday, July 14th, its Burscough shop will follow suit on Tuesday, July 21st. and its Formby shop will reopen in early August. The new opening times for all of the shops will be 10am until 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Sadly not all of Queenscourt’s shops will be able to reopen. Its premises in Tarleton and Ormskirk cannot adequately meet the necessary Covid-19 safety requirements and still generate a profit for Queenscourt.

Sue Newth, Queenscourt’s Area Retail Manager, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers, volunteers and staff at our Tarleton and Ormskirk shops who have made a huge contribution to Queenscourt over the years. We are all so sorry that the shops can’t continue, but it is not possible to make the necessary changes to keep our customers safe on those premises.

“Our intention is to pursue opportunities for pop-up shops in both of these areas, but in the meantime we will be offering a mobile Donation Station facility for anyone who wishes to still donate items to Queenscourt in Ormskirk and Tarleton. Further details will be available in due course via our website and social media.”

While its shops take the essential steps to re-open, Queenscourt’s eBay site has remained open for business throughout the pandemic. You can check out what is currently on sale online at www.tinyurl.com/queenscourtebay