The popular Bristol charity, St Peter’s Hospice,is looking to add more shops to its current portfolio of 47 – including a “charity superstore” of 4,000- 10,000 sq ft- and hasasked independent property specialists Williams Gunter Hardwick to identify new opportunities in the Bristol area.
The charity, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, depends on income from its shops to fund a significant proportion of the £18,000 a day it costs to care for adults with life-limiting illnesses as well as supporting their families.
“Our shops play a vital role in the work of the charity,” says Roger Childs, their Commercial Director, “and act as links with the community we serve as well as generating income.
“There are a number of suburbs and satellite towns within our catchment area (Bristol, South Gloucestershire & North Somerset) where we are not represented and these will be our priority. Target areas include central Bristol, Emersons Green, Mangotsfield, Bishopsworth, Stockwood and Longwell Green.
“We are also keen to find larger units in locations where we currently over-trade, such as Bradley Stoke.”
“Our brief is to find units in good quality locations for three different types of requirement,” says Steve Cullis, Associate Director of Williams Gunter Hardwick. “As well as shops from 900sq ft upwards to house the standard offer of clothes, books and smaller items, we are looking for at least one ‘charity superstore’ where furniture and electrical items can also be sold.
“The charity has also broadened its offer by turning some of its shops into ‘£5 or less’ clearance units and, as these have been a great success, there is potential to open new sites specifically for this purpose.”
St Peters opened its first charity shop in 1981 on Wells Road in Knowle and has grown from strength to strength since then, winning national awards for having the most profitable charity shops.
“We have worked closely with St Peter’s Hospice providing retail property advice for around 30 years now,” says Steve Cullis, “so we’re delighted to still be playing a role in their important work.”
