A HOSPICE’S flagship charity shop in Worcester will re-open its doors after a temporary closure.
St Richard’s Hospice charity shop and book store on St Swithin’s Street will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday, July 4 after essential maintenance is completed.
The six-week closure has given the hospice the chance to redecorate, inside and out, updating the long-standing store and refreshing the much-loved Snowdrops Café on the first floor.
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An anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony will be completed by the shop’s long-standing volunteers Dorothy Keeling and Gordon Geikie.
Ms Keeling has been volunteering at the shop since it opened in 2015.
“I started volunteering when I retired as a schoolteacher,” she said.
“I’m a keen reader and I knew I wanted to volunteer somewhere with books.
“Originally, I volunteered at the St Richard’s bookshop in Reindeer Court and then we moved to St Swithin’s Street.”
Mr Geikie, who is the hospice’s oldest volunteer at 87, added: “I thoroughly enjoy working at St Swithin’s; it’s always a joy.
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“The staff make the volunteers feel like we’re part of the team.
“A lot of thought and work has gone into the new layout and decoration. The shop looks fabulous – it’s wonderful.”
St Richard’s Hospice shop was temporarily closed for maintenance works. (Image: St Richard’s Hospice)
Dan Corns, associate director of Retail Operations at St Richard’s, said he is looking forward to sharing the shop with the community again.
“We have an incredibly loyal customer base in Worcester who support us with high-quality donations and by choosing to shop with us.
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“This investment in our flagship shop has created an improved experience for our valued customers, volunteers and staff.
“This will allow us to maximise the income we can generate from generously donated items, which in turn helps fund our free hospice care.
“Our grateful thanks go to everyone involved in getting the store ready to open, including all our brilliant volunteers.”
The hospice has 20 shops across Worcestershire with the profits contributing towards the cost of providing free hospice care and support to patients, the people important to them, and bereaved people.