A popular charity shop is moving to “bigger, better and brighter” new premises in Felixstowe.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is taking up residence at the former NatWest bank – which closed in September 2017 – on the corner of Hamilton Road and York Road.
The charity currently trades in smaller premises across the road and has been there since November 2012.
However, work on the new shop is underway and a grand reopening is due to take place in June.
“We’re delighted and looking forward to building a bigger, better and brighter community shop for Felixstowe,” said EACH’s Head of Retail Central Operations, Sarah Throssell.
“The old shop has served a purpose and been our home since opening in 2012.
“However, as we’ve got bigger, and our organisation has expanded, it feels like we’ve outgrown it.
“We needed to move and our new home is perfect.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity to bring another of our classy, stylish shops to the town, with more space to sell our range of donated and new goods.
“We can’t wait to get started and feel sure our loyal customers, and the community in general, will feel equally positive.”
The current EACH shop is due to close on 15th June, with the ribbon being cut at the new store at 10am on 20th June.
Donations can still be dropped at the existing shop and the current team of long-standing volunteers will continue to help in the new premises.
However, extra help is always needed and new volunteers are welcome. A special open day is taking place at the new shop between 10am and 4pm on 13th June.
Anyone unable to attend, but keen to find out more, can pop in for a chat anytime, email manager Haze Dee via Haze.Dee@each.org.uk or call 01394 279224.
EACH is currently running its ‘Don’t pass by, give volunteering a try!’ campaign.
The recruitment drive is shining a light on the various roles available in its shops – from serving customers to sorting and pricing donations, dressing windows, steaming clothes, testing electrical equipment and listing items on eBay.
EACH has 48 shops across the region, including its busy Retail Distribution Centre, in Thetford.
In addition to Felixstowe, there are 13 more in Suffolk, in Beccles, Bungay, Bury St Edmunds, Framlingham, Hadleigh, Halesworth, Ipswich (Meredith Road and Felixstowe Road), Leiston, Lowestoft, Saxmundham, Sudbury and Woodbridge.
To find out more about volunteering, pop into your local shop, visit each.org.uk/volunteering, email volunteering@each.org.uk or call 01223 205183 (option four).
