Spencer Manufacturing on Orleton Road is to give up part of its premises for St Michael’s Hospice (25/00966/FUL). Most the charity’s space will be for collection and sale of goods including furniture.
This is Ludlow’s first out of centre charity shop. It will take in and sell furniture which is a much needed service Ludlow has lacked since the closure of the Furniture Scheme on Weeping Cross. It will add to the retail facilities along Parys Road, including Domino’s Pizza which opens on 7 June.
St Michael’s Hospice is a charity that supports 2,500 patients and their families living with a terminal illness at a cost of £11 million a year, including 150 families in Shropshire. Along with donations, it relies on its charity shops to ensure it has adequate funding. And its costs are going increase with the national insurance hike (in my view a tax on the dignity of dying).
The charity says it has an “urgent need” for this application.
“The Hospice urgently requires a suitable site to support its growing retail operation. The income that St Michael’s receives from receiving, sorting and retailing pre-loved goods is vital to the charity. Out strategy is to grow this income stream so that the charity can maintain and potentially grow its vital care services, while also offsetting the effects of inflation on the charity’s finances. It is well recognised on the press and the media that times are challenging for hospices across the UK, with many having to close vital services, we cannot allow this to happen at St Michael’s Hospice.
“For several years the charity has been searching for premises in Ludlow to extend our Home and Living model.”
The charity has checked out available premises in the town centre (though apparently not the vacant supermarket on Upper Galdeford) and found none to be suitable.
We expect a site of this size with ease of access for dropping off goods will attract a minimum of 200 people per week to donate items… Additionally, during the cost of living crisis many people come to rely on charity shops and pre-loved items to find affordable items.
“The project will be set up working with different organisations to offer volunteering opportunities and the opportunity to lean a new skill.”
The Home and living shop will sell furniture, bric-a-brac, fashion, books, household linen and toys. There will be 16 parking spaces, including two accessible spaces, and a total of 45 spaces shared with Spencer Manufacturing.
This is good news for Ludlow. The Ludlow Furniture Scheme opened up in 1994 and was a national trailblazer, particularly for its support for vulnerable people. Regrettably, the operation ground to a halt in 2023 after funding dried up. This shop will be different but St Michael’s has a reputation for helping people with disabilities. I look forward to it opening.
When is the expected opening date for receiving donations. We have a significant amount of furnishings and bric bracelets to donate
A much more welcome addition than Domino’s.