Barnsley Hospice opens its fundraising superstore as shops closed

The Barnsley Hospice Retail Hub will sell clothing, furniture, homeware, electricals and home entertainment goods, including books, records and DVDs. Sales will play a vital role in fundraising for the hospice which needs to raise more than £2 million a year to fund patient care.

Barnsley Hospice retail operations manager Stephen Hatfield said: “We look forward to welcoming people from across Barnsley to our new Retail Hub which provides a new, spacious and Covid-secure shopping environment for our supporters.”

The Retail Hub was officially opened long-term volunteer and fundraiser Judy Holling of Dodworth.

Judy, aged 74, said: “The hospice means so much to me and I like to do all I can to support it. Hospice care is very important for so many families who need it and I really hope people will come to our new Retail Hub and support us.”

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The Retail Hub is now open Mondays to Saturdays 9am-5pm. Based on Fall Bank Industrial Estate, Dodworth opposite the main entrance to KDA Wholesale, it is a short drive from the M1 junction 37 and a five-minute walk from Dodworth train station. For Sat Nav use S75 3LS. Free parking is available.

The Retail Hub replaces six high street charity shops which were closed two months ago to reduce costly overheads for the charity during the pandemic.

Stephen said: “We were very sad to see our community charity shops close but really hope our supporters will find our new Retail Hub a great one-stop alternative and bring their much-valued support to Dodworth.”

Judy, a regular volunteer at Barnsley Hospice’s Donation Centre on the same site as the Retail Hub, said: “We’re one big happy family working together here to get stuff sorted out and on sale. The team has done an amazing job carrying on in these times and getting the Retail Hub ready for opening.”

Barnsley Hospice Donation Centre is also now open for donations of saleable goods Mondays to Fridays between 10am and 2pm. Every donated item will be quarantined for 72 hours.

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