Mayor opens new St Elizabeth Hospice 'clearance' shop

St Elizabeth Hospice's first ever clearance shop has opened in Ipswich town centre.

It is the Hospice's 12th shop in Suffolk, but the first one stocking discount and bargain donated second hand goods and furniture.

The new shop, in St Matthew's Street, was officially opened by Ipswich mayor Councillor Jane Chambers at 9.45am on Friday, March 4. Mrs Chambers, whose husband Colin was cared for by the Hospice, cut the ribbon and ushered a queue of eager shoppers in to view the goods. She was also the first customer and bought some accessories to jazz up her mayoral outfits.

The Hospice's retail sales manager Fiona Browning said: "St Elizabeth Hospice already had eleven shops which sell a range of quality second hand clothes, shoes, books, toys, accessories, DVDs, CDs and other items at reasonable prices.

"They are well supported by the community but this new shop is slightly different. Everyone loves a bargain, especially in the current economic climate, and judging by the amount of customers we had through the doors on our opening day, it is going to prove popular."

Volunteers are still needed to help out at the new shop, for as little as two hours a week, and duties include serving at the till and stocking the shelves.

If you wish to find out about volunteering at the new shop or any other St Elizabeth Hospice shop please call 01473 707016 or email volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk