End of an era for hospice furniture shop as exciting new superstore gears up for opening!

A St Catherine’s Hospice furniture shop which has kitted out everything from student bedrooms to bachelor pads over the past 15 years is set to close its doors for the last time today, on December 23rd 2015.

The charity’s shop and warehouse in Walker Street, Preston city centre, will shut up shop for the final time.

But 2016 marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the hospice’s retail team, who are looking ahead to opening the first St Catherine’s Superstore on February 1.

The new store will be located on the Guild Trading Estate in Preston and will be a one-stop shop for furniture, electricals, household items, bric-a-brac and some cut price clothing.

It will also become headquarters for the hospice’s growing eBay shop, which sells quirky and collectible items online around the country and the world in a bid to raise as much money as possible for St Catherine’s.

The furniture collection and delivery service which had operated from Walker Street for heavy or bulky items will continue from the new shop.

The charity is now recruiting volunteers to work at the new venture, the first of its kind for St Catherine’s.

Rachel Hewitt, Head of Trading at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “We are very excited to be branching out into a new area with the opening of our first Superstore.

“The concept of the shop is to bring a few different things together under one roof, offering a one-stop shop for all your home needs. With ‘bargain rails’ of clothes on offer too, who knows what you might walk out with! We want it to be a great shopping experience, with plenty of stock for people to pore over and have a rummage through. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new, and are confident that our wonderful supporters won’t let us down.

“Launching a project like this is only possible thanks to those who give their time so generously to volunteer. We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to join the Superstore team and be part of this exciting new venture from the start. In particular, we’re keen to hear from those who are eBay savvy and could really help us take our online sales to the next level.”

Boo Thom, manager of Walker Street and the new Superstore, added: “We’d like to say a big thank you to all our wonderful Walker Street customers over the past 15 years, and also to all those who have donated items so generously to the shop.

“We have a wonderful team here at Walker Street – some of whom will continue with us in the new premises – and we couldn’t have achieved all that we have done without their support and dedication. We will be sad to leave our store in Walker Street but we take many happy memories with us. We are looking forward to a new challenge, and to raising lots more funds to support the vital care of St Catherine’s for local people.”

If you are interested in volunteering at the new St Catherine’s Superstore click here to fill out the online form. Alternatively email volunteerdepartment@stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171 for a printed form. For an informal chat about the role, duties and days available contact the trading team on 01772 313063.

Share with your friends!