Wolverhampton antiques centre launches click and collect service
Bread, milk, toilet roll – now you can even use a click and collect service to pick up antiques.
One intuitive store in Wolverhampton has come up with a new way to still make money during lockdown – allowing people to browse antique tables, chairs, and other goods online before coming to pick them up outside the shop.
Claire Pearson, owner of Halfpenny Antique and Vintage Centre, said while it wasn't ideal, it gave customers the opportunity to still shop with them and support local traders.
The shop, based at Halfpenny Green Airport, will usually have 58 traders selling their products – but lockdown forced it to close at the start of November.
Claire, however, found a solution. She said: "We basically created a selling page on Facebook. We took pictures of individual items from everyone's rooms and then put them on with the information and prices.
"Then people could either contact us through Facebook or ring us and then they can pay over the phone and pick it up after lockdown or then can come and pick it up at the door. They aren't allowed in the shop of course.
"What it's done is helped people remember we are there – they haven't just got to go to Amazon. A lot of people have supported us which has been so nice."
The shop will be re-opening on December 2 once lockdown is lifted, which Claire said she was relieved by.
She added: "We have 58 traders in the shop – that's 58 people not earning any money, so it's been about trying to generate it for them.
"But we are not an online selling place, we are face to face. People want to mooch and chat.
"You've got to keep yourself in the public eye though. You can't afford to be closed.
"I think this has been helping a little – and helped boost morale, especially of those who have units in the shop."
Visit Halfpenny Antique & Vintage Centre on Facebook for more.
