St Wilfrid's Hospice to open new shop in Chichester

St Wilfrid's Hospice has revealed when it will be opening a new shop in Chichester.
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A notice appeared in St Wilfrid's South Street shop in January, announcing its closure and confirming that it will soon relocate to an 'alternative site in Chichester later this year'.

A new flagship retail store will open in East Street on April 12, 'showcasing some of its best pre-loved treasures', the charity said.

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Shop Manager Shaun O’Sullivan-Davey said: “We have such a warm buzz building from the community.

The new shop will open in East Street. Photo: Steve RobardsThe new shop will open in East Street. Photo: Steve Robards
The new shop will open in East Street. Photo: Steve Robards

"The shop is being dressed to impress and we are so excited about the future. It’s been a real team effort and couldn’t have happened without all of the support of the shop’s staff and volunteers."

The new shop location, close to the Market Cross, offers a 'prominent shop window' for the hospice to highlight to the high street the 'wonderful and vital' end of life care and bereavement services it offers to the local community.

St Wilfrid’s charity retail shops have had to close for 31 weeks, in total, during the pandemic, representing a 'significant loss in income'.

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"As a local charity receiving only 16 per cent of its funding from the NHS, this means the ongoing support of the public is more important than ever," a spokesperson said.

St Wilfred's Hospice closed its South Street store during the pandemicSt Wilfred's Hospice closed its South Street store during the pandemic
St Wilfred's Hospice closed its South Street store during the pandemic

Chief Executive Alison Moorey said teams have been 'hard at work these past few weeks' preparing all the shops 'to greet our fantastic shopper supporters'.

She added: “We’ve been looking forward to welcome back old and new shoppers alike, and hope they appreciate not only the fantastic treasures we’ve been adding daily, but that the preparation of our shops cleanliness and safety has been second to none.

"We trust they will appreciate not only the fantastic goods we’ve been adding daily, but that our shops cleanliness and safety has been second to none on the high street.

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"Every purchase helps a patient, with thousands of you helping to support someone at home with life limiting illness to receive the compassionate care and support they need."

Retail director Laura Addison explained how important it was for people to be ‘thoughtful’ about what they donate, and only give good quality, re-saleable items to avoid stores being overwhelmed.

“We are extremely grateful to donors who have used lockdown to clear out their wardrobes to generously donate to us to help support the care of St Wilfrid’s Hospice for patients and their loved ones in our community," she said.

“Previously, if items have not been of a quality we would offer in our shops then we’ve been able to recycle them through a variety of outlets. Now these markets – known as rag markets – have collapsed, leaving us with paying the costs of disposing of unsaleable clothes and other items, so please choose your pre-loved items wisely.”

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit the shop or call 01243 755815.

For full details of opening and donation drop-off times visit stwh.co.uk/shops.

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