Mayor cuts ribbon on refurbished hospice furniture store

The Mayor of Preston Councillor Veronica Afrin cut the ribbon to officially re-open the St Catherine’s Hospice furniture store at an open day celebration welcoming the local community.
The shop in Walker Street, just off Friargate in the city centre, has undergone extensive refurbishment work which saw the windows re-fitted, carpets replaced and re-decoration throughout.
The Mayor of Preston Coun Afrin said she was impressed with the revamp and thrilled to re-open the shop.
She added: “It is well known I am a huge supporter of recycling, clothes, furniture, white goods and anything that can have a second use. Establishments like the St Catherine’s furniture shop are fulfilling a vital role to maintain the environment. Even more importantly, when we use these facilities we help to provide exceptional care for people at the most vulnerable time in their lives, and of course their relatives and friends also.
“Well done to all the people who donate or buy from here. We should also thank the volunteers who are unstinting in their commitment to the store.”
Staff organised the open day – which featured special offers on their extensive range of pre-loved furniture and homeware – to show off the new look and spread the word about what the shop has to offer.

The event also featured face painting, cakes and balloons for the children, and an antiques expert from Warren and Wignall auctioneers was on hand to value customers’ collectables.
Stock on sale in store includes good quality suites, sofas, beds, dining tables and dressers, as well as smaller items like paintings, lamps and pottery. The team also provides a collection and delivery van service if people have bulky items they would like to donate or buy, but are unable to move them themselves.
John Cornall, shop manager at Walker Street, one of three hospice furniture shops across Preston, Chorley and Leyland, said: “The refurbishment project was a real community effort, with local businesses and volunteers pitching in to help, so it was wonderful to host this open day and invite even more people from the local area through the doors.
“This shop really couldn’t exist without the local community – local people give us donations, local people shop and volunteer here, and local people and workers helped us complete this fantastic refurbishment. We’re so grateful for all their support, and all those who attended on Saturday. We hope they enjoyed the day and picked up something nice for their home, all the while knowing they have helped us raise vital cash to support the specialised care St Catherine’s Hospice provides for local people.”
Rachel Hewitt, head of trading at St Catherine’s Hospice, added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Mayor for coming along and cutting the ribbon to open our new-look store, as well as all those who turned out on the day.
“We are looking forward to welcoming many more new and existing customers through the doors over the coming weeks and months – helping them kit out their home with quality, good value furniture, all in the name of a brilliant local cause.”
The St Catherine’s Hospice Furniture Shop in Walker Street, off Friargate, is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm. The store also operates a collection and delivery service. For more information call 01772 201145.

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