Shoppers who are frustrated to find charity shops closed at peak times have been told these closures are mostly due to volunteer shortages. 

The struggle for staff is believed to be due to the cost of living crisis as fewer people are able or willing to volunteer. 

This has meant that, for some charity shops, illnesses have meant they have had to shut.

This has been seen more recently in Anglia Square, with shoppers disappointed to see closures at both the Scope and Priscilla Bacon Hospice shops.

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Meta Lear, area manager for Scope, said: “Volunteers are crucial to the running of our charity and are even more so when we have vacancies or sickness amongst our paid colleagues in store.  

Norwich Evening News: Scope is looking for new volunteers but people are not able or willing amid the cost of living crisis Scope is looking for new volunteers but people are not able or willing amid the cost of living crisis (Image: Newsquest)

“This is unfortunately why you may have seen some closures recently.  We understand this is disappointing for our customers and can only apologise.” 

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The charities want to urge city folk to volunteer to keep these shops thriving. 

Meta continued: “Volunteers are a lifeline for Scope charity shops but they could find they get so much more back than they give.   

“Many also forge great, lasting friendships and others go on to secure employment.”  

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The Priscilla Bacon shop in Anglia Square was closed on Saturday – which shoppers say was unusual and unexpected.  

Norwich Evening News: The closures are to do with lack of volunteers and staff sickness The closures are to do with lack of volunteers and staff sickness (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for Priscilla Bacon Hospice said: “Our eight charity shops do open on Saturdays, apart from when there has to be a closure due to unforeseen circumstances.   

“Unfortunately, this occurred last Saturday, when our Anglia Square shop was closed for one day.”  

All city charity shops have opportunities for volunteers at the moment and need them now more than ever.