Photo: Inside the Ross-on-Wye store that opened in the Spring.
Each year, St Michael’s Hospice must raise several million pounds to continue providing palliative and end-of-life care free-of-charge to people across Herefordshire and beyond.
Most of the charity’s care costs are funded by the community.
These funds come from a variety of sources, including supporters taking part in St Michael’s events such as the Venus night walk; playing the St Michael’s Hospice Lottery; holding their own fundraiser; and leaving gifts in Wills.
The contribution from St Michael’s retail sites, however, represents a significant part of this fundraising.
With ever-increasing demands on the care and support we provide, St Michael’s faces a significant challenge to raise the money needed to support these vital services.
With this in mind, St Michael’s believes there is scope to increase our retail operation and is constantly looking for suitable new sites to add to its portfolio.
New stores opened recently include Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth. With the news the Holmer Road site in Hereford must close due to the lease not being renewed, the search for new premises in Hereford has escalated.
St Michael’s Hospice have confirmed that they are looking at many premises and these are at different stages of discussion.
Two that are most advanced are the leasing of the former Iceland store on Eign Gate within Hereford city centre.
The second is the purchase of an out-of-town site (the I & JL Brown store) on the Whitestone Business Park, which the Hospice plans to use as the Hospice’s main warehouse and distribution site, alongside retail space. The Hospice has submitted a planning application for this site.
Through its shops the Hospice wishes to be able to offer affordable pre-loved items as well as encouraging recycling across the county and beyond.
A final closing date is yet to be confirmed for the Holmer Road Home and Living Store, but the Hospice plans to trade up until Christmas.
Staff and volunteers have been told of the plans and will be offered roles at other stores including any new stores.
More details on the I & JL Brown proposed purchase can be found here – https://www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk/proposed-purchase-of-the-i-amp-jl-brown-site-within-the-whitestone-business-park-in-hereford/
