Shoppers gathered in their numbers on Friday 27 February as doors reopened at Wigan & Leigh Hospice’s newly-refurbished charity shop on Gathurst Lane, Shevington.
Excited customers, volunteers and supporters arrived from 10am to catch a first glimpse of the transformed store – and to meet special guest – Coronation Street star Ryan Prescott, who officially cut the ribbon.
Ryan spent time chatting with volunteers, staff and local supporters, as shoppers eagerly explored the fresh new layout and browsed the wide range of items on offer – from clothing and accessories to toys, books and household goods.
The refurbishment was made possible thanks to the generosity and expertise of Greenmount Projects, who once again donated their time to help bring the hospice’s vision to life.
Speaking at the reopening, Jane Dutton, Retail Development Manager at Wigan & Leigh Hospice, said: “This refurbishment has been important for our customers but has also made a big difference to our volunteers who now have more space to store and sort the donations that come into our shop. So much of the work in a charity shop goes on behind the scenes and this new layout makes it easier for our volunteers, who do so much to support the hospice.
“We are so grateful to Greenmount Projects, once again, for making our vision for this shop a reality, and I hope our customers enjoy browsing the new-look shop.”
The Little Carpet Shop in Leigh donated the new flooring, and Louise and Dave at Shevington Village Kitchen and Catering, supplied sandwiches and sweet treats for volunteers and guests.
The transformation includes a brighter, more welcoming shop floor and an extended sorting area at the rear of the building, creating a more practical workspace for volunteers who process donations each week.
The Shevington store is one of eleven hospice retail outlets across the borough, each playing a vital role in raising funds to support specialist care across Wigan and Leigh. The refreshed space is expected to increase footfall and boost the shop’s contribution towards the hospice’s daily running costs.
Located at 43 Gathurst Lane, Shevington, WN6 8HW, the shop has a small parking area at the front, with additional on-street parking available.
Opening times are:
• Monday–Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm
• Saturday: 10:00am-3:00pm
• Sunday: Closed
Whether you’re hunting for a bargain, donating pre-loved items or simply curious to see the transformation, the team looks forward to welcoming you into the new-look store.