Sleaford charity shop opens in new location

The Mayor of Sleaford, Coun Tony Brand has today (Tuesday) officially opened the new premises of an established charity shop in the town.
Shop manager Deborah Homer outside the new premises of Andy's charity shop on Southgate, Sleaford.  EMN-210427-120446001Shop manager Deborah Homer outside the new premises of Andy's charity shop on Southgate, Sleaford.  EMN-210427-120446001
Shop manager Deborah Homer outside the new premises of Andy's charity shop on Southgate, Sleaford. EMN-210427-120446001

Andy’s charity shop has relocated from its premises at 56 Southgate, further along the street to 78 Southgate - a shop unit formerly occupied by Stitches ‘n’ Print.

The shop raises much-needed funds for St Andrew’s Hospice in Grimsby, the only dedicated hospice for children in the county. It also now provides adult care.

Store manager Deborah Homer explained the new premises are more commercially viable for the charity for the future after suffering a year of severely restricting sources of funding during the pandemic.

The team at the new Andy's charity shop in Sleaford. From left - shop manager Deborah Homer with volunteers Sue McIvor, Mick Perry, Dawn Blanking, Trevor Homer, Angela Morris and Sylvia Farnsworth. EMN-210427-120457001The team at the new Andy's charity shop in Sleaford. From left - shop manager Deborah Homer with volunteers Sue McIvor, Mick Perry, Dawn Blanking, Trevor Homer, Angela Morris and Sylvia Farnsworth. EMN-210427-120457001
The team at the new Andy's charity shop in Sleaford. From left - shop manager Deborah Homer with volunteers Sue McIvor, Mick Perry, Dawn Blanking, Trevor Homer, Angela Morris and Sylvia Farnsworth. EMN-210427-120457001

Mrs Homer said: “The relocation has involved the finding of the new premises, going through all the legalities, getting shop fitters and getting the shop completely fitted out.

“Then came the packing up of the old shop and moving it to the new shop. Then there was the setting up of the new one.

“It has been a long process, but is exciting and new times are ahead,” she said.

The charity has 22 charity across the county, including North and North East Lincolnshire, as well as Hull.
The new Sleaford store is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am-5pm.