Forget Oxford Street, Wolverhampton charity shop has it all
It was a scene of chaos and excitement – the kind witnessed when Primark opened to huge crowds in Oxford Street and Top Shop opened its first branch in New York.
But this was Compton Hospice with crowds of people waiting outside to be the first to shop in its new Wolverhampton superstore.
The long-standing hospice has opened its biggest charity shop in the unit underneath Faces nightclub in Garrick Street and almost 100 eager shoppers turned out for the event.
The superstore is the biggest retail venture to date for the Wolverhampton-based charity, which provides medical care and emotional support to families living with incurable illnesses.
Bosses hope it will help to raise much-needed funds for the hospice's work.
The shop opened at noon, but some people were so excited about the launch they turned up at 9.30am hoping to be first through the door.
After city mayor Mike Heap cut the ribbon, shoppers surged through the doors to get their hands on everything from wedding dresses for £30, exercise bikes for £5 and sofas for £50.
Glyn Trimberger, of Bradley, Wolverhampton, said: "I've shopped in New York and London, but nothing beats the buzz of a charity shop.
"The shop is exceptional. There is a wide variety of good quality items and it's a good method of recycling. The money is going for a good cause and you know you're doing something good."
The superstore features departments including men's and women's clothing, a media centre, a bridal department, home and electrical goods and furniture.
It will also house a Compton Kids corner and giftware items. The new store joins more than 20 already being run by the charity to generate vital funds for patient care and the upkeep of the Compton Road West-based hospice.
Store manager Ed Blackwell, said: "The store is in a fantastic location and it is definitely something new for the city in terms of its sheer size and range of items.
"Once the Metro work is completed we are in prime position to get extra footfall, so we're expecting to be busy. The Garrick Street store will feature the very best Compton Hospice charity shop items all under one roof."
Cash raised will fund extra nurses to cope with a spike in demand for the charity's home care services which sees nurses offer treatment and care at a patients' home so they do not need to stay at the hospice if this is their wish.
Grace Ruston, the hospice's marketing officer, said: "The superstore will be one of the ways that we as a hospice plan to raise funds so that we can expand and develop our community nursing team. This is a vital service which allows terminally ill patients to be cared for in their own homes and for which demand continues to grow. This is an exciting time. The store's success will depend on the people of the city to help us stock the shop, as well as buying some of the items on offer."
The hospice plans to open two more charity shops later this year. They will be in as yet unspecified locations in the Black Country.
It currently operates stores with the help of volunteers across Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, South Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Compton Hospice has been running for more than 30 years and has supported thousands of patients and their families.
It provides the services of a fully qualified team of doctors, nurses and support workers to provide the best possible care for patients and their families during illness.
