Charity shops have been closed since the coronavirus lockdown in March and due to the way they operate the shops have faced a number of challenges in reopening with many in Penarth only recently doing so.

The Cancer Research store on Stanwell Road reopened yesterday and customers are able to visit at reduced times throughout the week. They are also now looking for volunteers to get involved as their doors open again.

Similarly, the Oxfam shop has reopened and is ready to welcome back customers.

We have compiled a list of the stores and the services they are currently offering below:

• CRUK - Reopen Tuesday to Wednesday 10 am - 1 pm, Thursday to Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Looking for volunteers

• Oxfam - Reopened today but with reduced times and days. You can ring the store to find out the exact details. Looking for volunteers. Shops will be accepting donations soon after they open but, as items will need to be stored for 48 hours before volunteers can process them, storage space may be limited and donators should ring ahead.

• City Hospice - Planning Reopening.

• PDSA - Reduced opening hours of 10 am - 4 pm

• Tenovus - Reopening in early August

• Marie Curie - Mon - Sat 9.30 - 5.00 Sun 10.00 - 4.00

• British Red Cross - 10 am - 3 pm Monday to Friday. Donations will be limited. Volunteers required.

Many charity shops will have been hit hard by the lack of income from their shops, which often raise significant funds. It is very important to continue to support them as they reopen.

The other issue for these shops is volunteers. With a lot of their previous staff shielding or unable to work at the moment, they need people to come in and help them return to normal opening hours.

Donations are being welcomed across open stores but with any items needing to be left for 48 hours or more there is reduced space and increased workloads. Please do not leave donations outside the shops as they cannot be accepted when this happens.