Charity shop celebrates first anniversary

Boston’s St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice charity shop moved from Red Lion Street to the former-Greenwoods Menswear unit a year ago last week.

On Wednesday, the team there held a coffee morning to mark the milestone, welcoming Mayor of Boston Coun Richard Austin and the charity’s chief executive Chris Wheway as special guests.

Manager Debbie Stringer said the new shop had brought with it an increase in floor space (‘about double’ on the ground floor with a first floor area for books too) and a more prominent spot in the town, which had helped attract new customers through the door.

In addition, staff numbers have gone up (from one to three) and trade has been boosted.

“The move has gone well,” she said, thanking customers for their ‘continued support’.

Mr Wheway spoke of the importance of charity shops to the work of St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.

“We get 50 per cent of our funding from the NHS so charity shops are fundamental in delivering hospice care in Lincolnshire,” he said.

Coun Austin added: “On behalf of borough I would like to thank St Barnabas from the bottom of my heart for the great work they do.”

For more on St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk