On 20th July 2024, following tremendously hard work over many weeks by Kim (CL shop manager), Annys (assistant manager), Sarah (locum assistant manager), Sheila (shop assistant) and a team of volunteers, the Cherry Lodge Cancer Care charity shop in Church Passage, Barnet was finally able to reopen. We thank them all, and also Linda (operations manager), and Graeme (trustee and willing handyman).
This important and uplifting event took place after weeks of cleaning, disinfecting and even having the floor dug up and new flooring laid. At the end of May, a very serious flood damaged and destroyed a lot of our precious stock. Fortunately, items stashed on shelves were saved but anything in contact with the contaminated floor had to be ‘ humanely destroyed’. Since then, the entire shop has been repainted and completely reorganised, with new shelves installed instead of the old bookcases. At today’s opening, the shop looked and smelled quite lovely and fresh, and there was an airiness and spaciousness which felt very inviting.
Clearly it was catastrophic for so many of our precious donations to be lost, but our faithful supporters rallied round. This morning the shop was full of amazing items – paintings, books, toys, bags, clothes, swimming trunks (this is, after all, summer) – in fact almost anything one could imagine but had not thought of!
There was a neat little queue outside the shop ready for the opening at 10 am, which included a pug in a pram who didn’t mind being left outside but got exceptionally angry whenever another dog dared pass by. A steady stream of customers were welcomed into the shop throughout the day, taking this opportunity to snap up bargains and show support for Cherry Lodge.
It is difficult to imagine just how much hard work Kim and her helpers have put into the shop since it first had to close in May, but judging by the eagerness with which people came in today, it is most certainly appreciated by our faithful clientele.
On leaving the shop your ‘reporter’ [Freddy] went to have a cup of coffee locally and wearing a CL shirt was asked by another customer if it would be ok to give her £20 for the shop as ‘they do such a fantastic job’! She accepted gracefully (and gratefully).
Select the small images below to see larger, complete photographs.
