Charity superstore to open in Reading
The Thames Hospice claim it's the biggest charity retail space in the country
Last updated 16th Sep 2024
A new store in Reading is about to take the lowly charity shop to a new level.
The Thames Hospice charity superstore in Richfield Avenue will boast 14,000 square feet of selling space and include a repair workshop and cafe.
In fact the charity claims their Reading charity superstore will be the biggest in the country!
As upcycling and furniture flipping become ever more popular and the fight against fast fashion and sustainability rises up agendas, the charity superstore appears to be the future.
Thames Hospice, which is based at Bray lake near Maidenhead, has around 22 charity shops in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey, but its Reading superstore is its most ambitious retail space to date.
It costs £34,000 a day to run the hospice and with falling contributions from the NHS fundraising has become even more urgent.
Head of retail operations Annie Campbell said:
"This building and what we can deliver from this building will provide vital income towards the hospice to help it run and for the hospice to be here in the next 10-20 years so t's really really important we open bigger shops that can generate bigger income and we can put more back into the charity.
"We've already got a large home store in Maidenhead we're about to re-locate that to a larger store and bigger is better it takes a lot of effort to put one of these stores together so it's better to put the effort into a big project than into loads of little small ones."
In addition to an extensive selection of preloved ladies’, men’s and kid’s clothes and accessories, the Superstore will also sell a vast range of preloved home furniture and host a large toy and games section.
Under the same roof, the charity’s ‘Home Studio’ will provide customers with a range of furniture flipping services and workshops, as well as access to talented tailors and needle workers who can not only provide an alteration service, but also offer upcycling services such as transforming cashmere and mohair jumpers into cushions. The charity is also aiming to have a ‘Repair Shop’ further adding to its offer of providing cost-effective solutions for shoppers.
Sustainable
Julie Rowley, Director of Retail at Thames Hospice, said:
“Our Superstore will lead the way in sustainable charity shopping on the grandest of scales! It will bring together a vast selection of preloved clothes for all, vintage treasures, books and children’s toys, furniture, upcycling services, and a welcoming café all under one roof.
“We really have put a lot of thought into ensuring our customers have the best shopping experience at our new Superstore, including ample parking onsite, as well as a café serving a delicious selection of beverages and light refreshments.”
Volunteers
Thames Hospice has closed its Caversham shop in Reading to make way for the new superstore just down the road.
They're now appealing for volunteers to staff the superstore and in particular specialist volunteers in repairs and upcycling to join the team - details here
The charity is also on the lookout for donations to stock the superstore.
The new store will open opposite the Rivermead leisure centre on Richfield Avenue in Reading on Oct 17th.