Our Hospice threw open the doors to its brand-new Pontefract superstore on Wednesday 6 May, with shoppers rushing inside following an official ribbon-cutting to mark the occasion.
It is the largest, flagship shop of our Hospice’s 10 charity shops, providing sustainable shopping for the community while raising vital funds for the local Hospice.
Now based on Salter Row in the former Wilko building, the new superstore replaces the Hospice’s long-standing Cornmarket shop, bringing a bigger, brighter and more modern space right into the heart of the town.
The opening was celebrated in style, with Pontefract’s Town Crier and Mayor of Wakefield Maureen Tennent-King delivering speeches to mark the occasion, before hospice nurses took centre stage to cut the ribbon. Joined by volunteers and supporters, it was a proud and heartfelt moment before welcoming the community through the doors.
From that moment, a real buzz spread across Pontefract. The shop was packed throughout the day, with people flocking in to explore the new space and snap up a wide range of high-quality pre-loved goods.
Kevin Hogarth, our Retail Operations Manager here at the Hospice, said:
We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response. Seeing that rush of people as soon as we opened and the shop full all day was incredible. There was such a brilliant atmosphere, and it really shows how much the community is behind the Hospice.
The excitement also translated into an outstanding start to fundraising, with £7,138 raised on the first day alone and more than £15,300 in the first week. The amount is enough to fund a full month of care for a Hospice patient, including healthcare, catering and housekeeping. This means the success of the new store is already helping ensure more people receive the compassionate, specialist support they need.
The new superstore offers a fresh, spacious shopping experience, with an expanded range of clothing, homeware and more. With its central location and increased capacity, we can now welcome more customers, accept more donations and raise even more crucial funds to support our services.
Following such an incredible first day, we are encouraging the community to keep the momentum going by shopping in-store, donating good-quality items, or giving their time as a volunteer. With demand for hospice services continuing to grow, every contribution will help make a lasting difference. For more information, please visit www.pwh.org.uk.
The impact your fundraising has
£923
Could fund a week of nursing care
£3,500
Could cover the care of one patient for one week
£15,000
Could cover the care of one patient for one month
