A well-loved Weymouth animal welfare charity shop is poised to reopen its doors in time for Christmas.
PAWS Animal Welfare Society, is returning to Weymouth’s town centre after several years away.
The charity was forced to close its doors at its St Thomas Street store due to the pandemic, but is all set to open at a new location on Great George Street on Tuesday, December 5 – just in time for Christmas shoppers.
Lionel Knibbs, chairman of PAWS, said: “We were in the main street but have not been there for three years now, so we have decided to open a new shop.”
They are now just waiting for the fittings to be secured properly for health and safety reasons but remain on course to open on Tuesday.
With Christmas just around the corner the store will be hoping it can provide residents an opportunity to buy gifts and stocking fillers, and support animal welfare at the same time.
Mr Knibbs added: “People thought we had gone off the face of the earth, but we hope to be open by Christmas.”
The charity was established 42 years ago by Betty Austin and, originally, the shop was at the Colwell Shopping Centre, before moving to St Thomas Street in 2013.
Animal welfare is very much at its the heart as it helps local residents with rehoming their pets as well as providing support with vet bills.
Whilst the shop was closed during pandemic, the charity continued to provide support. It bought a caravan at a Weymouth holiday park and rented it out, with the profit used to fund the charity.
Now PAWS is very excited about the opening of a new shop in the town centre again, and is keen for people to donate items and support them.
In a recent social media post the charity was again encouraging people to donate ahead of the big opening.
A spokesman said: “We would be very grateful for donations, particularly ladies and gents clothing.
“We are ready to take them now but please ring on 07807915823 ahead to check we are at the shop.
“We can collect. Thank you all for your continued support.”
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