Crowds turned out to snap up a bargain in West Bromwich high street on Monday 6th July as Birmingham Hospice opened its newest charity shop.
After the ribbon cutting at 10am, people poured through the doors eager to be among the first to check out the store and land a great find.
Among the first through the doors were West Bromwich sisters Helen Tomlinson and Elizabeth Nicklin who were delighted with the cushion and coasters they went away with.
Elizabeth said: “I was so looking forward to it, I had butterflies.”
Helen told us: “It made my weekend because I knew it was opening” adding: “We lost our brother, my twin brother five years ago, and he spent his last few weeks in a hospice we so we do like to support hospices because they are a godsend.”
Shop manager Emma Bartlett cut the ribbon at the grand opening watched by a big crowd eager to get inside.
Katie Wolfindale, Relief Assistant Manager at the new shop said: “We’ve been working really hard through the heatwave to get the shelves stocked making sure everything looked perfect for opening.
“To see the crowd outside before we even opened, it was brilliant. It’s such a lovely community in West Bromwich so to see so many out for the opening, it’s fantastic.”
John Ridd, Retail Area Manager for Birmingham Hospice said: “We’ve never opened a Birmingham Hospice shop in West Bromwich before so we’ re really excited to be in West Bromwich in the heart of Sandwell, raising vital funds for our hospice.
“I’ve been with the hospice 16 years and opened quite a few shops and this is the busiest I’ve ever seen one on opening day!“
The new store is a clearance shop so the majority of items are just £1, with the exception of electrics or coats which are £3 or two for £5.
Sally Forster was another customer happy to see the shop opening. She said: This morning on the way to the gym, I noticed the new signage and on the way back I was so happy to see that it was full, bustling and raising money for a really good cause.”
Natalie Stringer who we caught up with as she was paying at the till said: “It’s really good, loads of choice, really good prices and amazing staff. I’ve got some net curtains, some shorts, a nice dress, six things in all.”
You can find the new Birmingham Hospice shop where the Cancer Research shop used to be at 203 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 7QZ.
It will be open seven days a week, 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
