Ashgate Hospice open new clothing clearance store
Ashgate Hospice has opened a new store to offer items that have failed to sell in its existing charity shops, in locations including Matlock, Hasland, Bakewell and Shirebook, at an even more discounted price.
The charity, which provides specialist end-of-life care to patients with complex palliative care needs across North Derbyshire, opened the shop next to its existing charity shop – which has also had a makeover – in Matlock on 10th February, to help generate the funds it needs.
The Matlock store will be the first clothing-only Clearance Shop for the hospice with clothes coming from right across North Derbyshire.
The average price of goods in the shop is expected to range from just £1 to £3, with items including womenswear, menswear, children’s clothing, and accessories.
This opening is set to bring about numerous benefits – not only to Ashgate, through 100% of every sale going towards the work they do – but also to the local community as the cost-of-living skyrockets and items that would have ordinarily been recycled or sent to landfill, are given a second chance of finding a home.
Speaking about the opening of the new shop, Head of Retail Operations Laura Stevens, said: “Ashgate Hospice has always been innovative in the way it operates – we have to be, because of the amount of money we need to raise each year.”
Every year, Ashgate Hospice must raise £7 million to continue the care and services it provides to the North Derbyshire community. £3 million of this comes from its charity shop sales.
Laura adds: “We have to rely on the generosity of people in our local area – through both our fundraising efforts and charity shops.
“But we’re fortunate to have a wonderful community around us, full of generous supporters, who assist us and our charity shops by donating goods, shopping with us and even volunteering to help run our shops.”
Ashgate is looking for volunteers to handle donations, serve customers and maintain the general upkeep of its stores in Matlock, as well as across North Derbyshire.
Audrey Garlick, a proud member of the Dronfield shop team, found that she was at a loose end in her life and decided she wanted to give something back, so she started volunteering at Ashgate Hospice.
Audrey said: “I wanted to give something back to the community and do something to help others. Volunteering in Ashgate’s shop was perfect for me. I love everything about it, I really do – I look forward to the days I go in and the customers who I get to meet.
“At the shop, I get involved in everything from tidying the displays, pricing up items and welcoming our wonderful supporters who generously make donations to us. And it’s so rewarding knowing I’m doing my bit to support care for families all over North Derbyshire.”
Those interested in volunteering at the new clearance shop in Matlock, can visit www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/volunteering and fill in Ashgate’s Volunteer Enquiry Form or pop into their local shop and speak to the manager about opportunities.
And those interested in supporting the new shop can donate whatever goods they can to Ashgate’s existing charity shop in Matlock, which can be found at: Ashgate Hospice Matlock Shop, 22 Firs Parade, Matlock DE4 3AS.
Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
