A CHARITY hails its first week in its new premises a success.

Tynedale Hospice at Home is celebrating its first week anniversary after opening the doors of its new shop on Fore Street in Hexham on Thursday, March 21.

The site was opened with a ribbon and a speech was given by a family member of one of the Hospice’s patients who gave a short but heartfelt speech about the charity that cared for his late husband.

Charlotte Pearson, Tynedale Hospice at Home interim CEO said: “Our retail arm is an important way for us to raise the necessary revenue to fund our high-quality services such as at home end of life nursing care, patient transport, complementary therapy and bereavement support.

"We are incredibly grateful for everyone who volunteers, shops or donates to our local charity.” 

Tynedale Hospice at Home is a local charity and was proudly founded in Hexham in 1993. It was set up by Edith Russell and Ish Fawcett to help the community care for local people with life-limiting or progressive illnesses at home, avoiding unwanted hospital stays. Today the charity raises and spends approximately £1.5m a year on delivering its care services throughout west Northumberland

The new site marks also move from the charity’s Battle Hill premises which the Hospice has traded from for over 25 years. 

Retail Operations Manager for the charity, Ashleigh Trotter, explains:“The Battle Hill site served us well but the building is on multiple levels and in need of repair.

"This new shop is approximately twice the size and almost all on one level with better lighting. This makes it a far more appealing and easier place to shop, especially for those with mobility issues or with a pram.

“The shop has seen incredible footfall and we’re really happy with our sales over the first week. There’s even been a bride who said ‘Yes’ to the dress! Thank you to all our staff and volunteers who’ve worked so hard to make sure the shop looks fantastic for all our customers.”