Muscle needed to help Health Connections move out

The shop closed over the weekend for the last time, and the charity is moving out this week, ahead of the shop being refitted as an Iceland supermarket.

Volunteers from the charity are moving some stock to its Smith Street store, while some is being shared with other charities.

‘But a lot is going into storage and that is where we need help,’ said operations manager Agi Savcenko.

‘We have lots of packers, labellers and taggers, but need muscle to help move the boxes of goods.

‘Some are very heavy so volunteers would have to be fit for some manual labour.’

She said that ideally it would like to see at least two strong extra volunteers.

‘One would be here at Market Street and one at our storage facility in Le Truchot, opposite Edward T Wheadon House, to help our lovely driver with loading and unloading.

‘We hopefully will use that stock at a new store we are exploring, so watch this space.’

Health Connections moved into the store at Rectory House in 2021, when it took over from the Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

The new Iceland supermarket, which is a joint venture with retailer Alliance, is due to open in September. The charity shop closed its doors for the final time on Saturday.

‘Everything for sale since the middle of last month was by donation – we asked people to simply pay what they thought was fair,’ said Ms Savcenko.

‘We are of course trying to still fundraise but it was good to see stock go to a good home.’

However, she said it still was not too late to pick up a bargain.

‘If you see something through the window you like the look of please knock,’ she said. ‘Nothing will be wasted and we want to minimise waste and the amount that needs to be recycled.’

Anyone interested in helping can ring the Market Street store on 701310.