SENSE Scotland will reopen its Alloa shop on Wednesday, August 5.

Since lockdown, the disability charity has had a number of requests to take donations and questions about re-opening of the Drysdale Street shop.

Head of Retail Sue Blair said: “When the Coronavirus pandemic unfolded it became clear that plans we had to maximise income from shops this year were not going to happen, and that a significant loss of income was on the cards.

“Together with the cancellation of fundraising events we stand to lose around £1million, money which would have gone to helping support disabled people live meaningful and independent lives.

"What has been encouraging however, is the level of interest from customers about when we are re-opening.

"We have opened a number of other shops across Scotland over the past few weeks and have been inundated with donations and with customers happy to return.

"We’re hoping for the same here in Alloa.”

Measures will be in place including social distancing markers, till shields, a one-way system and easy availability of hand sanitiser.

Donations will be subject to a 72-hour ‘quarantine’ to minimise risk.

Clothes will be steam cleaned and furniture cleaned and checked to Revolve quality mark standards, and outstanding deliveries and collection of furniture will be prioritised before new items can be processed.

Sue added: “Whilst the shops have been closed we’ve been planning how to re-open safely and have looked at other ways of raising income, including the option to buy on eBay, which is now up and running.”

Last year the charity raised £1million through shop sales, income which supports the charity’s vision of helping disabled people live meaningful and independent lives.