Fife charity shops are “bursting at the seams” after householders took to clearing out their wardrobes during lockdown.
Children’s charities Barnardo’s Scotland and CHAS have asked people to phone ahead before making donations to ensure there is enough space in the stockroom.
Donations have been flooding in since the 14 Fife Barnardo’s shops and CHAS stores in Dunfermline and Kinross reopened and most days, many are full by lunchtime.
Barnardo’s Fife area manager Deriel Watt said the charity is incredibly grateful to people for holding onto their unwanted goods during lockdown but some might have to keep them longer, until there is room.
She said: “As well as the volume of donations, due to post lockdown safety regulations, all stock must be quarantined for 72 hours before it can be sorted, which takes up valuable space in the shop.
“A number of volunteers have not yet returned to the charity, which means fewer hands to sort donations and fewer staff and volunteers are able to work together due to social distancing so it’s not surprising that some stores have found themselves bursting at the seams.”
CHAS retail manager Ken Doig said: “We do appreciate an increase in donations but once our daily capacity has been reached in the shop we will have to ask supporters to hold on to them and return another day.
“Please call ahead to avoid disappointment. Our appreciation goes out to everybody in advance for understanding.
“In the meantime, we hope everybody enjoys being able to pick up a bargain from our restocked shelves.”
Deriel said Barardo’s staff would be wearing PPE and everything would be stamped so they knew when it came into the shop.
Other measures include plastic screens at till points, hand sanitiser stations at entrances to stores, restricted customer number and social distancing requirements.
Changing rooms will be closed.
CHAS has asked people to bring items in secure disposable bags or boxes, which cannot be returned, and not to leave items outside shops.
