Care at Christmas: Superstore opens in the Black Country to raise vital funds for Acorns Children's Hospice
A new store is throwing open its doors in the Black Country today offering plenty of bargains to raise vital funds for Acorns Children's Hospice.
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The charity cares for poorly children and teenagers with life limiting conditions and needs £35,000 per day to keep its three centres serving the Black Country, Birmingham and Wyre Forest open.
Its retail division is rising to the challenge of finding ways to generate revenue by opening a brand new superstore in Oldbury Road in Blackheath at 10am on Thursday.
The staff and volunteers have been working hard to fit and stack shelves with festive gift ideas, good quality clothing and household goods to cash in on Christmas trading and to attract new shoppers for the future.
Store manager Chris Jennings is full of praise for the staff, volunteers and shoppers who supported the old branch.
He said: "We've had a place on the high street for 15 years. We've got a really nice strong community links.
"Blackheath and the surrounding area have been really good with the donations. People are really generous and gift us their time and their donations.
"If you want to continue to do that, you can donate some time with us by coming to volunteer. We've got a lot more stock here than we had in the other store. it's basically what we had for 15 years, but on a much bigger scale. We now have about 9,000 square feet.
"So it's all the stuff that people like, but more of it."
Goods in stock include clothing, homeware, original art by Dynamic Art and a new giving zone has also been set up to make it easier for supporters to drop off items.
"All the people you will have seen in the old store will be behind here to have chats with you. You can ask about gift aid. You get a nice seamless experience. You get to enjoy the store and we get to make some money and profit for our cause," Chris explains.
Retail operations manager Jo Hanks says there are also plans for a schools' art competition to promote the branch.
Jo says: "This the fifth superstore that we've have opened since December last year. It is the first in the Black Country.
"It means £2 million and that money goes to support our children and families. Children who are struggling with life limiting conditions and relatives who are also going through that journey," she adds.
The Express & Star has launched it's Care at Christmas appeal in support of the trust.
To support Acorns visit the new store and give here: acorns.org.uk/Star-Appeal
