Category: Retail

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.

East Cheshire Hospice is hoping for another merry Christmas with sales of its festive cards. East Cheshire Hospice raises between £15,000 to £20,000 each year from supporters buying Christmas cards.  The Hospice reluctantly halved its stock a year ago, with fewer locations open to sell cards during the pandemic.

But this year Christmas cards – costing £4 for packs of 10 – are available again at all usual outlets, along with pocket diaries at £2.

The items can be bought at the Hospice shops in Thornton Square, Macclesfield, Handforth and Poynton. Macclesfield Library and Wilmslow Library, along with Knutsford Cinema, are also now selling them until Saturday, December 4.

Cards can also be bought from the Hospice reception, although East Cheshire Hospice is requesting that customers only go there if necessary to keep visitor numbers to a minimum.

Cards can also be ordered via the Hospice’s website, or leaflets which have been distributed to supporters. Delivery charges will apply to cover admin costs for postal sales.

Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “Our Christmas cards are always big sellers and are a great way to support the Hospice.  “They’re excellent quality with nice designs and we’d urge customers to hurry up and buy them because certain designs do sell out quickly.

“We sold out quickly last year when we had to halve our order because of Covid. “We’re asking people to try to visit our shops, or libraries, if they want to buy cards in person.

“Of course, they’re still welcome to come into the Hospice on Millbank Drive, but we’re encouraging people only to come in if they can’t get to other locations.”

That message is echoed by Clair Close, a Hospice volunteer for 15 years. Clair, from Macclesfield, started off in the Hospice’s choir. For the last seven years she has helped on reception and is also an admin volunteer for the medical team.

Hospice volunteer Clair Close shows off  the range of Christmas cards.

Clair said: “Our Christmas cards are always popular and we’ve already had a lot of interest this year. I enjoy volunteering here – it’s such a wonderful place and the money raised from the cards goes directly towards caring for our patients.”