Crafty thieves steal from large charity furniture store in Milton Keynes days after it re-opened

The Kiln Farm store has just re-opened and operates an online booking system for customers to buy goods.

It is thought the crooks might even have been crafty enough to make an appointment. But because the booking system is currently being modified, staff cannot get the proof.

The theft took place on Friday at the Burners Lane premises, which sells new and pre-loved furniture, bric-a-brac, clothing, leisure equipment and DIY tools.

A bike and other household items were stolen.

An Age UK spokesman said: "The charity was shocked that unscrupulous thieves would steal goods from them so soon after re-opening. The staff and volunteers at the store had worked really hard to double the size of the store during lockdown and to put systems in place to ensure all customers, staff and volunteers are kept safe.

Age UK Milton Keynes lost a large proportion of its annual income due to the closure its stores during the pandemic, and the charity is working really recoup this by striving to get its stores open as soon as possible.

But the cost of infection precaution and social distancing measures works out at around £300 per store.

"The charity can ill afford to be losing stock through theft," said the spokesman,

The Age UK store in Queensway, Bletchley re-opened its doors today (Monday) and the popular bookstore in Wolverton will open tomorrow (Tuesday).

This will be followed by its Olney store, where a provisional date of July 1 has been set for re-opening.

Age UK Milton Keynes is a local independent charity supporting older people in Milton Keynes.

Anybody interested in volunteering in any of its local stores should contact the charity on 01908 550700 or visit its website here .