Popular charity shop saved from sudden closure

Thursday 10 September 2020

The Friends of Citizens Advice Guernsey's charity shop on the Bridge was on the verge of being shut due to safety and electrical issues - however a last-minute "rescue plan" has brought the store back from the brink of closure.

Volunteers at the Bridge shop, which raises around 70% of the charity's funds, were shocked to find out last week that the doors were about to be closed on the fundraising store due to safety concerns.

“You can imagine how we all felt last week when it looked like wiring problems meant we’d have to shut down and move out immediately," said Shop Manager Margaret Lowe. "We had nowhere else to go and our income has already been hit this year by lockdown.”

The Chair of the Friends of Citizens Advice Liz Timms said it was a massive relief to be able to continue the fundraising venture for the local branch of Citizens Advice. 

“Thankfully our landlord, the Co-op, was open to ideas about how we might solve these issues, and when Neil and Elvio from NE Electrics came on board we knew that we had the winning team," she said. 

Pictured: The charity raises approximately 70% of Citizens Advice's running costs.

The CEO of Citizens Advice Guernsey, Kerry Ciotti, said the electricians had been asked to come and take a look as soon as the wiring issues were raised.

"They not only reassured us about the electrical aspects but also came up with some really clever and practical ideas to resolve the other safety issues, which we can afford and are acceptable to the landlord. Neil has also very kindly offered to help us out with the electrical work, for which we are so grateful.”

"The upshot is our funding can continue and islanders’ access to free, confidential and impartial advice is safe, which is a terrific result. Things are certainly looking a lot rosier than they did last week."

Mrs Ciotti also thanked the Co-op, which has allowed the charity shop to use the premises free of charge since 2008. 

The building, which also houses the GO charity shop, is situated next to the former Leale’s Yard and is likely to be demolished as part of any future redevelopment of the area. 

Pictured top: (L-R) Margaret Lowe, (Shop Manager) Kerry Ciotti (CEO Citizens Advice Guernsey), Elvio Jardim, Martin Perrio and Neil Corbin (from NE Electrics) toast the future of the Friends of Citizens Advice charity shop.