‘Hidden’ shop reopens after refit at Cullercoats RNLI lifeboat station
‘I had no idea this was here, but what a lovely little place it is!’ exclaimed a swimmer at Cullercoats recently.
Concealed by the cliffs surrounding the bay, Cullercoats RNLI’s shop is not a new addition to the lifeboat station, but its location means that even those familiar with the area aren’t always aware of its existence.
Having undergone refit over the winter months, the shop will reopen for the summer season on 24 May, welcoming customers from 10am until 4pm each Sunday until 7 September, with opening hours to be extended over the school summer holidays. Entirely staffed by volunteers, opening hours are dependent on their availability.
With all proceeds from sales going towards supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work at sea, it’s the perfect place for visitors and locals alike to pick up souvenirs.
Shop manager, Robert Saddler, said: 'We have some RNLI yellow welly planters in at the moment and these have been really popular with people focusing on their gardens as a result of the sunny weather. Children’s sweets and bath toys always sell well too, given our location at the beach!’
With Cullercoats RNLI experiencing their busiest year to date, having been tasked to assist people in difficulty on the water 20 times already this year, every penny spent in the shop is crucial to supporting the station’s vital work. Robert adds: ‘We’re always looking for volunteers to help out in the shop. Anyone interested can just pop in and chat to one of the team.’
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For further information, please contact volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Sarah Whitelaw: [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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