Sunday is fun day for hospice shops Christmas trade
Several of a charity's shops will be open on Sundays to take advantage of the Christmas trade.
Severn Hospice is opening its shops in Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Madeley, Newport, Oswestry, Shifnal, Shrewsbury Wyle Cop, Wellington, Welshpool, Whitchurch, Ironbridge, Lawley, Ludlow, Shrewsbury Mardol and Shrewsbury Furniture Store on Sundays, as well as its Shrewsbury superstore in Beacalls Lane.
It is the first time some of these shops have benefitted from Sunday trading and hospice bosses hope it will bring in much needed funds in the run up to Christmas.
Pre-Covid, Severn Hospice’s 28 shops brought in almost £1 million each year. The spring lockdown removed the charity’s ability to raise £100,000 a week and even before the November lockdowns, bosses were already predicting they would end the year with a £500,000 fundraising deficit.
“We were unfortunate to have to shut all of our shops again following the introduction of Lockdown II and the Welsh firebreak. The effects of these, and the pandemic has been terrible for us, so we see the reopening of our shops as a glimmer of hope,” said the hospice's head of retail Ross Henderson.
“We’ve had some amazing donations and our shops are the perfect place to pick up some Christmas bargains. It may be cold outside, but you will find a very warm welcome and you can shop safe, shop local and support us.
“Opening more of our shops on a Sunday in the run up to Christmas is a new thing for us and we are confident that it will be a big hit with our customers."
