Category: Retail

There are no Monday morning blues for grandmother Jo Nadin when she gets up for work.

Volunteering for East Cheshire Hospice at its shop on Chestergate is the perfect way to start her week.

Jo has been involved with the Hospice for the last 17 years since she joined the army of volunteers without whom the Hospice would not be here.

It was in 2006 that Jo’s daughter Sally died of a brain tumour in a hospice, prompting her to get involved.

Hospice volunteers Shirley Plant (left) and Jo Nadin.

Jo said: “I realised I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing so I volunteered at the Hospice. Sally wouldn’t have wanted me to mope about.

“I’d worked in nursing so thought I could help, but being recently bereaved, decided to help in the shop rather than the Hospice itself.”

“I volunteer on Monday mornings and getting up is no problem – you just do it.

“The shop is a happy place to work. Everyone is so friendly and we get to know the customers.”

Colleague Shirley Plant feels the same way. Shirley volunteers twice weekly at the Chestergate shop and fills rota gaps.

Shirley said: “It’s brilliant working here – it’s like being in a boutique. Everyone comments on how nice the clothes are.

“I’m from Gawsworth originally and came back from Shropshire five years ago to live near my family.

“I decided I needed to get out and about and applied. The staff are great. You meet different people and get to know regulars who thank us for our efforts.”

The Hospice also has shops at Thornton Square and in Poynton and Handforth with a further outlet in Congleton opening soon.

Chestergate manager Lindsay McDonald said: “The volunteers are the backbone of the shop and mean everything to us.

Chestergate shop manager Lindsay McDonald.

“Without them, the shops wouldn’t be able to run. They’re kind and give up their time for free when they don’t have to.

“Jo and Shirley are examples of the dedication and commitment made by all our volunteers.

“People are more conscious about the environment and we’re trying to promote the shop with a message of ‘don’t buy new – buy pre-loved.’

“That way customers can save money for themselves and support a local charity.

“We stock a variety of outfits available at brilliant prices, including Christmas jumpers.

“Upstairs we sell furniture which should fit into a car.”

More volunteers are wanted to help on the furniture rounds run by East Cheshire Hospice.

The scheme is thriving with the charity van out and about collecting and delivering items six days a week.

Furniture sales generate around £13,000 a month, a vital source of revenue for the Hospice which needs £9,362 every day to operate.

Items are collected from donors to take to Hospice shops or delivered to buyers’ homes.

Furniture van volunteers Richard Raymond (left) and John Wilkinson. 

Commercial manager Louise Delany said: “Shifts are flexible and are usually one day a week, starting at 9 am and finishing at 3 pm.

“Volunteers start with one day a week because it’s quite a hard job and physically demanding. There’s often room on the rota if people want to do more.

“Volunteers are usually retired or semi-retired and are matched with people sharing the same interests.

“No experience is required. We need drivers and a mate, who doesn’t necessarily have to drive. The pairs often swap roles.

“The schedule is organised and typically the volunteers will do six trips a day. A dolly is used for furniture.”

The Hospice is looking for good quality furniture to sell in its shops at Chestergate, Thornton Square, Poynton and Handforth.

Louise said: “The shops are doing really well and our furniture range is hugely popular.

“Our donors are extremely generous, providing us with good quality furniture to sell on to our loyal customers.”

* To find out more email Angela.OMahony@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 665682

Another major rug sale is under way thanks to a generous gift to East Cheshire Hospice.

The Hospice has been given 650 new rugs of all shapes and sizes which are available at its four shops.

A distribution centre in Buxton has gifted the items to the Hospice which hopes the new sale is as lucrative as the last one.

The Hospice received between £55,000 and £60,000 from the sale of 1,400 rugs which were handed over as surplus stock in early 2022.

The new batch were bought online from an American company by its UK customers.

Volunteers helping with the rug delivery. From left, Richard Raymond, Rod King, Iain Donald, Lawrence Robinson, Charlie Seddon and Pete Broughton.

However, the buyers decided for various reasons they did not want the items, so the centre in Derbyshire has chosen to donate them to the Hospice rather than go to the expense of sending them back to the USA.

Hospice Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “We’re thrilled to have received another kind donation of rugs and want to thank the company who supplied them again.

“Carrying them around may be hard work for staff and volunteers, but it’s well worth the effort because of the huge reward they bring for the Hospice.

“Our customers flocked to our shops last time to snap up bargains and hopefully they’ll do the same with this latest delivery.

“All the proceeds from sales go directly to fund patient care, which is an important thing to remember.”

The rugs are now on sale at shops in Poynton, Handforth, Thornton Square and Chestergate, which received smaller-sized rugs due to less space.

Macclesfield company DoorCo are storing some rugs until the shops need fresh supplies.

Louise said: “The rugs have accumulated at the distribution centre over a period of time. They’re brand new, but customers didn’t want them because they may have been the wrong colour, shape or size.

“Rather than roll them back up and ship them back to the States the centre offered them to us.

“Hopefully, it’ll provide another huge boost to our retail income if people buy them like they did last time.

“Our shops are thriving at the moment and we’re so grateful to those who donate items and also buy them.

“We’re always on the lookout for recycled furniture which is so popular in our stores.”

* To donate furniture call co-ordinator Toni Walsh on 07917 942273 or email furniture@echospice.org.uk.

Bargain hunters are helping East Cheshire Hospice translate commercial success into vital care for patients.

The four shops run by the charity, at Chestergate and Thornton Square in Macclesfield and in Poynton and Handforth, bring in more than £50,000 a month.

About half of that revenue is profit which goes directly towards looking after patients, either at the Hospice or via Hospice @Home.

Around £10,000 a month is generated from selling recycled furniture donated by the public. Smaller antique items are sold at the Chestergate shop, with larger goods on display at the other outlets.

A lot of stock is sold via the shops’ Facebook sites and the Hospice thanks supporters who both donate and buy.

Hospice commercial manager Louise Delany said: “Without the income from our shops, we wouldn’t be able to provide the same care for patients, their families and carers.

“The Chestergate shop, which opened last May, is thriving. In fact, we are lucky enough to receive very good donations at all our shops which helps us generate a regular and sustainable income for the Hospice.”

Lindsay McDonald, manager of the new East Cheshire Hospice shop on Chestergate.

The Hospice has a new hotline for furniture co-ordinator Toni Walsh, so that donors can contact her directly to arrange for furniture to be collected. Her number is 07917 942273 or you can email furniture@echospice.org.uk.

Louise added: “Furniture is always a good seller. Last week we sold a high-end sofa for £1,000, but the shops are also a great way to pick up quality bargain pieces too. We do ask that items must be clean with no scratches, unless of antique value.

“Our staff are so enthusiastic. Whether they’re selling furniture, handbags or clothing you can rest assured they’re going to work hard to get the right price for it, to help the Hospice as much as we can.”

Joanne Griffiths has just started as an assistant manager, with Louise Anderson taking up a similar role this month.

The shops generated £60,000 from new surplus rugs donated last winter. They have also been known to receive new stock by top designer brands like Gucci, Barbour and Yves Saint Laurent.

Louise said: “We can’t guarantee these donations, but occasionally when they happen it helps enormously. We’re so grateful to all our donors but of course it’s really exciting when we receive something extra special.”

Although all donations are appreciated, the Hospice requests that they are not left outside shops when closed as they can be damaged. For example, a number of quality woollen jumpers were ruined recently after being left in a bag in the rain.

East Cheshire Hospice is reminding the public of the availability of its charity shops as a possible way of dealing with the cost of living crisis.

The charity is aware customers have less to spend on clothes and other items because of the sharp rise in energy prices.

It is therefore inviting the community to grab a bargain by visiting one of its four shops.

The Hospice has stores at Chestergate and Thornton Square, plus outlets in Poynton and Handforth.

Lindsay McDonald, manager of the East Cheshire Hospice shop on Chestergate.

Commercial manager Louise Delany said: “Times are tough for people and we’re well aware of that.

It won’t be easy to afford things like clothing, furniture and electricals in the same way.

“So perhaps it is timely to remind customers that we have some great offers available, both in our shops and online at our Facebook pages.

“We’re lucky to receive some wonderful donations – from sofas to designer clothing, to homeware and electricals. You really could kit out your whole house with items from our shops.

“By buying from us, our customers are also helping care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

It’s also worth remembering that recycling goods is also good sustainable practice.”

At the same time, the Hospice itself is having to closely monitor its own energy costs with its premises on Millbank Drive and the four shops facing steep price hikes in future.

The Hospice reopened its Chestergate shop in May, a move that has proved popular with customers.

The shop is managed by Lindsay McDonald.

A shop run by East Cheshire Hospice has reopened more than two years after closing its doors.

Now the charity shop on Chestergate has made an urgent appeal for donations of clothing and accessories to put on sale.

The store greeted its first customers on Saturday (May 7), reviving the Hospice’s town centre retail presence.

The Chestergate premises have undergone a major refurbishment over the last few weeks to give it a completely new look.

The store had to close in March 2020 when the pandemic meant social distancing was impractical  due to space restrictions.

It became a bereavement centre briefly, but the Hospice realised the venue was unsuitable and are delighted it has now returned to its former retail use.

Hospice Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “It’s great to be back in the town centre and although we’re in familiar surroundings, it’s a fresh new shop with a stylish and elegant interior.

“It looks and feels completely different than before, with a bright and modern yet rustic atmosphere throughout its two floors.

“There’s something for everyone here and we’d love it if people came along to see us.

“I must stress that we’re in need of more donations and now that we’ve opened hopefully people will drop by with items we can sell.

“We’d be grateful if supporters can look in their wardrobes and dig out any good quality clothing and bric-a-brac. We also want electrical items, but no toys and books.”

The shop is managed by Lindsay McDonald who previously worked at the Hospice’s Thornton Square shop.  It will be open six days per week (Mon- Sat 9.30 am to 4.30 pm). The charity also has shops in Poynton and Handforth.

Lindsay McDonald, manager of the new East Cheshire Hospice shop on Chestergate.

Hospice Marketing Manager Luke Brightmore said:  “Our retail shops are a hugely important part of our fundraising, and also an important connection to our community.

“Not only does selling your donated clothing, furniture and goods help raise vital funds for the Hospice and the work we do, but having these locations out in our communities where people can visit, interact and support us really helps to maintain that special bond that we have with our community.

“The new shop on Chestergate sells only the most beautiful pieces of clothing, accessories and other pre-loved items, and is also eco-conscious, striving for little to no unnecessary waste.”

The shop also needs  volunteers. Anyone interested can call 01625 511997.