Theme: Shops

It’s been a challenging time for lots of people and we’re hoping that our pop-up shop will help customers get ready for Christmas without having to break the bank. 
As well as the new and pre-loved Christmas gifts on sale, we’ll also have some items of furniture, books, bric-a-brac and other goods for people to purchase.  It will be the perfect place to browse and get all set for the festive season, and we’re looking forward to seeing as many people as possible at this pop-up shop. 
As well as being able to bag a bargain or two, people making purchases will also be helping St Ann’s to continue caring for patients from across Greater Manchester, and their families too. You win, and those we support win too.


Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice

During lockdown our shops had to close so we focussed on our online platforms to sell items, including wedding dresses. We post images of the dresses on different wedding related Facebook groups and we often get interest from all over the UK but this was the furthest afield we have ever sold a dress. 
A lady called Michele got in touch and we communicated back and forth over length, material, structure of the dress and I sent her lots of pictures. She said she lives in Australia but used to work in Stockport so we said it was like it was meant to be! Her god daughter came to collect the wedding dress from the shop to send over to her.


Christine Green, Shop Manager

I live in Australia and an image of the wedding dress popped up on my computer when I was on Facebook. I thought it was such a stunning dress and it was perfect for my beach wedding. 
I am from England and I used to work in Stockport, so it was such a funny coincidence! Also, Stockport is where I met my partner, Roy, so I really loved the idea of it all as I’m a bit of a romancer at heart and I love the nostalgia of where it was being purchased from. 
I proposed to Roy at a surprise 60th birthday party we had organised for him and the ring was tinsel but he said yes. 
I just want to say thanks to Christina for the amazing service. I’m over the moon with my dress and can’t wait to wear it


Michele, Australian Bride

It’s wonderful working with New Look on this project. It helps people declutter before Christmas and do something useful with their pre-loved clothes. Every item donated to us helps us to continue to care for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, and we’re incredibly grateful for all the support we get from local people. This scheme lets them help us and get an even better deal from their local branch of New Look.


Ryan Perkins, Sales Development Manager at St Ann’s Hospice

Charity shops are a lifeline to hospices up-and-down the country, allowing local communities to support them to provide much-needed to care to those who need it most. 
We are really pleased to be working with New Look on the ‘Give back, feel good’ partnership, giving people the chance to raise vital funds, which hospices rely on to be able to offer outstanding care to the communities they serve. 
The pandemic has really highlighted the crucial role hospices play for people at the end of life, and their families. Hospice UK continues to support hospices across the country, working alongside the NHS, to make sure people get the care they need, now and into the future.


Catherine Bosworth, Hospice UK’s Director of Income Generation

Our furniture shops are always really popular, especially in the last year when many people have been taking the opportunity to decorate or update their home during lockdown. 

We have a huge amount of furniture and homewares on sale, and are appealing for donations of any items of furniture that people might be wanting to rehome.  We can arrange to pick them up if they’re bulky too, so do get in touch even if you don’t have a vehicle available to drop items at one of our shops. 

We also run a popular house clearance service so if local people are moving, downsizing or have a garage or other unit that they need help clearing, we can support with that too. We’re always happy to help, and people can also be assured that the money raised from the sale of the items they donate will help St Ann’s continue caring for local patients.


Ryan Perkins, Trading Company

Our centre in Reddish is a bit of a treasure trove to be honest, and it’s packed full of everything from ladies wear and accessories to toys, games, electrical goods and homeware. There really is something for everyone. 
Since our shops have reopened post-lockdown we’ve had some amazing stock donated, including lots of new goods from generous supporters. Some we sell in our shops, some on our online stores, and we’ve also decided to save some of the best bargains for our Distribution Centre sale in September.
Shoppers will not only be able to get their hands on some great deals, but the money they pay will also help St Ann’s to care for hospice patients from across Greater Manchester.  
As a charity we need to raise £20,000 a day to keep our services running for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, so sales like this one, alongside those made in our shops, are invaluable.  They really do help us make a huge difference to local people’s lives.


Ryan Perkins, Hospice’s trading company