Trussell will transfer its charity retail operation to national employment charity Shaw Trust next month, the anti-poverty has today announced.
On 1 November, all nine high street shops in Dorset and Wiltshire, warehouse and existing team members will transfer from trading trading arm Trussell Retail Limited to Shaw Trust.
The shops will be closed for two weeks between 30 October and 15 November to allow Shaw Trust to implement its systems, induct staff members and change in-store branding.
Trussell, which shortened its name from the Trussell Trust last month, said its commitment to ending the need for emergency food requires investment in its network of 1,400 food banks and work towards ending hunger, which “was preventing the charity shops from fulfilling their potential”.
Aligned vision and work
Trussell chose Shaw Trust, which currently has 23 shops across the country, due to its commitment to charity retail and the charity being aligned with its vision and work to support people facing hardship.
To minimise disruption caused by the change, Trussell said that the transfer of its shops to Shaw Trust “won’t result in redundancies or changes to current day-to-day operations”.
A spokesperson for Trussell told Civil Society that 24 employees are tranferring to Shaw Trust following a TUPE process, with a large majority of these being part-time staff.
Trussell said its vision of a UK without the need for food banks can only be achieved “by working in partnership with other organisations such as Shaw Trust”.
“Ensuring that everyone can access decent and rewarding work opportunities and building strong, inclusive communities are key building blocks in reaching a future where no one needs a food bank to survive, and Shaw Trust is committed to doing just that,” it said.
‘We’re unable to divert further donations into Trussell Retail’
Trussell’s chief executive Emma Revie said: “Our charity shops have provided an immense value to our organisation.
“For nearly 20 years, Trussell Retail has helped generate vital funds and it’s been an honour working alongside so many inspiring and passionate people who are dedicated to supporting their local community and giving back.
“As the need for food banks has drastically increased in recent years, we’ve had to develop and respond.
“While this need has pushed us to evolve, we’re still deeply connected to Wiltshire and our hometown of Sailsbury, working together with Salisbury Foodbank and with our head office there.
“However, we must steward our donations carefully into activities that most closely align with our mission of ending hunger and we’re unable to divert further donations into Trussell Retail to strengthen its operations and ensure it thrives.”
Revie said her charity’s financial position “remains strong” but its vision of a UK without the need for food banks is “ambitious and requires our full attention”.
“We’ve been committed to finding an organisation that aligns with our values, while working in a similar charitable sector, positively supporting local communities and protecting employment rights,” she said.
“By transferring the charity shops to an organisation that is set up and dedicated to investing in charity retail, we truly believe Trussell Retail operations will be stronger and more sustainable for the future and we’re excited to work together towards our mission.”
Shaw Trust: ‘We’ll invest in their future’
Renata Graver, director of charity retail shops at Shaw Trust, said: “We’re thrilled that Trussell has chosen to transfer their charity shops to us.
“They’re an important part of the community and as part of our national retail network we’ll invest in their future.
“Trussell has a clear vision for a future without the need for food banks and building decent, secure and rewarding work is a key part of the solution.
“Focusing on our strengths means that together we’re stronger and can provide the support people facing hardship.”
