Charity shop open again
A CRANBROOK couple have appealed for helpers as they bid to reopen a charity shop they ran until their retirement 10 years ago.
The shop, in Stone Street, had been operating as a Hospice In The Weald outlet for the past 10 years until the charity decided to close it.
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BACK IN BUSINESS: Eileen Starkey has recently taken over the former Hospice in the Weald charity shop in Stone Street, Cranbrook. It will now be Charities at Home
Derek and Eileen Starkey, who live on the premises, couldn't bear to see it empty so have reopened the business with the help of another Cranbrook resident Joyce Dawson.
Mrs Starkey, 68, said: "The shop was originally an Oxfam shop for 10 years before we had it for another 10, so it has been a charity shop for 30 years now.
"Rather than have the shop standing empty we thought we would use it to raise funds for some good local causes, because there are so many to support. So we're back in business."
The shop, which will once more trade under its old name Charities At Home, reopened on Monday and its profits will benefit the Kent Air Ambulance Trust, Hawkhurst Cottage Hospital and Cranbrook Rotary Club's local charities.
The couple would like to receive good quality stock to sell, including books, clothing, shoes and bric-a-brac.
Potential volunteers should phone Mr and Mrs Starkey on 01580 713588 or call in at 35 Stone Street.
Comments
by Kate, Cranbrook
Thursday, March 19 2009, 9:17AM
“Well done to Mr and Mrs Starkey. It is such a shame when a Charity closes a store, because not only does the shop raise money for the charity through selling its goods, but it raises general awareness of the charity, specially through being in such a central part of the town. I'm sure the local charities will benefit greatly from the re-opening and it is a real community boost to see it re-open. Well done!”