Inverness charity shop set to reopen after drainage issues
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A city centre charity shop that was forced to close in October 2022 due to flooding is finally set to reopen this week.
The Carr Gomm charity shop in Queensgate Arcade will welcome customers back on March 25 – much to the relief of staff in the shop.
The shop was first impacted by a sewer blockage under the Arcade in June 2022, and the result of the flooding meant that the Carr Gomm premises had to be completely refurbished.
“It has been a challenging time, and hard not knowing if we would ever find a solution. Week by week we were losing earnings - and hope, to be honest,” said shop manager, Ania.
“But the positives were bigger. For example from our volunteers who were willing to be part of this horrendous journey each step of the way. Not to forget the customers who have supported us, from putting donations in the letterbox to purchasing items from the wee stall outside the shop.”
To celebrate the reopening of the shop on Saturday, there will be balloon modelling, a sweet give-away, a tombola, and the BID bear will pop along to welcome people in.
Carr Gomm is a national social care and community development charity that has been operating for 25 years. In Inverness and across the Highlands, they have provided a respite service for unpaid carers in the Highlands since 2012.
The charity shop raises money for fun activities for the people Carr Gomm supports and their carers, as well as supporting Carr Gomm’s work across Scotland.
With donations to the shop during their closure, they bought tickets for three families to see the Peter Pan pantomime at Eden Court last December.
Jean Lee, her husband and her daughter Natasha, attended the pantomime as well as Stanley Beaumont who attended with his daughter-in-law, Karen.
“We had a brilliant time and it was something to look forward to after the Christmas period”, Karen remarked.
“Both for Stanley who doesn’t go out often and for myself, his carer.”
The shop is excited to welcome back loyal customers and to welcome new ones who are passing through the town centre.
“We are all buzzing with excitement and we would invite everyone to please come and see our new look”, said Ania.
“We would love to receive any donations from the public, as during the time we were closed we could not accept any. All pre-loved items are welcome!
"With massive thanks, to the many people who showed interest, supported us and myself. I am so grateful.”
