Tamworth Uniting Church Op Shop closing at end of September due to COVID-19 pandemic

After operating for more than 40 years in Tamworth, the Darling Street op shop couldn't survive the coronavirus crisis.

Volunteer Judy Phillips said it was a very difficult decision, but one the dedicated group of workers has come to accept.

"Most of our helpers are over the age of 70," she said.

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"There is a lot of rules and regulations about COVID and we could do the spacing and the sanitising and all of that but it was the just the fact that so many of us are older and we have to be careful of vulnerable people."

Ms Phillips said the team of about 60 volunteers were "sad and a little bit cross" when they found out the op shop would close.

"The helpers are very devoted, some of them have been doing it for 25 or 30 years ... but I think we've accepted the fact that's how it has to be at the moment," she said.

"We love the people who come in ... it was a really lovely place."

Uniting op shop has been closed to customers and donations since the pandemic struck Tamworth in March.

A few of the volunteers will open the shop for the next two weeks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10am and 1pm.

Everything, from clothing to books and kitchenware, will be for sale for one dollar.

The plan is to clear out the shop and donate any leftover goods to other local charities.

Ms Phillips said she wasn't sure what would happen to the Darling Street storefront after the closure.

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