CPBigwood on the hunt for hospice shops

PROPERTY consultancy CPBigwood has been appointed to extend the charity shop network of Birmingham’s St Mary’s Hospice.

The firm is to carry out the hospice’s acquisition programme for 30 stores over the next three years across the West Midlands.

The St Mary’s Hospice currently has 13 outlets.

Rob Watts of CPBigwood’s commercial agency team said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside an organisation which does such wonderful caring work in the community.

“Obviously, for all charities, fund raising is key – hence the planned expansion of the shop side.

“It is a very important source of income and a significant contributor to overall fund raising.”

Watts said CPBigwood is also talking to St Mary’s Hospice about the possibility of providing it with further property services.

Lorna Forrest, head of trading at the Selly Oak-based charity, said: “We rely on fund-raising and donations to support our efforts. It costs over £8m a year to run our operations. Every pound made makes a huge difference.

“Our charity shops are very popular with the public and we want to extend our reach. People love a good rummage, turning up something interesting and useful to buy.”

Launched in 1979, each year the hospice helps more than 1,000 people at home, in its day hospice and through the in-patient unit.