Free private shopping slots on offer at Northampton store for customers worried about catching coronavirus

An award-winning retailer in Northampton is offering anyone concerned about going shopping the chance to browse its wares privately every weekday for free.

Vintage Guru's new 'shop and shield' scheme allows individuals or support bubbles to have a look around by themselves for up to two hours from 5-7pm, Monday to Friday.

Julie Teckman and Matthew Crick, the owner and manager of the St Giles Street store respectively, will be on hand to make it a personal experience too.

Matthew said: “We’ve had a fantastic reaction to the private booking sessions we introduced when we reopened in June after lockdown, using the last two hours of our later opening times.

"We’ve heard from so many customers about how worried they are as to how they’ll get their Christmas shopping done in the present situation.

"So we want to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for local people shopping alone or with friends or family, an opportunity that is normally only offered to celebrities and royalty!”

Vintage Guru currently houses items from 130 local traders, including gifts, cards, household goods, vinyl, vintage and upcycled items as well as the popular Fridge Street range.

Ms Teckman also insisted there will be no obligation to buy anything during the 'shop and shield' sessions, which will be available until December 21.

The shop will also be offering Wish Lists for visitors to write down items they would like Santa Claus to deliver and to make life even easier for those who find Christmas shopping stressful.

Ms Teckman said: “We are confident that we have something for every member of the family this Christmas, from lamps made from old instruments to tiny stocking fillers made of local, sustainable materials.

"We can offer candles, hand-made soaps, hand-crocheted and wooden toys, collectible vinyl, and really unusual gifts and clothing amongst many, many other items across two floors.

"And customers using our Shop and Shield sessions will also be able to benefit from personal service from Matthew and me, guiding them to gifts they may not have found for themselves so the time will be really productive and fun.”

Vintage Guru's was given a Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District business heroes award for the work done during the pandemic to keep customers and traders feeling safe.

'Shop and shield' bookings can be made in Vintage Guru, on its Facebook page, by email to [email protected] or by calling the shop on 07715 788757.