Pendleside Hospice’s charity shops have had a truly remarkable year, helping to support patient care at the Hospice.
From October to December last year, we achieved a record quarter in retail sales, nearing £250,000. This marks a 13.71% increase compared to the previous record set the year before.
This success is the result of several factors. Our shops underwent a revamp at the start of autumn 2024, introducing a vibrant purple colour scheme as part of Pendleside’s brand refresh. These changes brought a fresh and welcoming atmosphere to our stores, helping to attract new visitors and encouraging regular customers to return.
During Hospice Care Week in October last year, which focussed on retail, we spotlighted each of our shops through a dedicated social media campaign. We shared behind-the-scenes content, customer stories, and highlighted the unique items available in each shop. The campaign increased engagement both online and in-store, not only boosting footfall, but also reinforcing the connection between the Hospice and the people it serves, reminding supporters of the crucial role their contributions play in sustaining our services.
Hospice UK also highlighted the essential contributions of hospice retail shops during Hospice Care Week, emphasising the role they play in providing care, compassion, and support to patients, as well as their families and carers. One notable observation from Hospice UK is that, for the first time, some hospices are starting to receive more support from charitable retail contributions than from the government. This striking statistic highlights the urgent need for increased funding for palliative care services, which continue to be a lifeline for so many in our community.
The dedication of our staff, volunteers, and the generosity of our community have been key to our success. Businesses like boohoo.com and Burnley College have also played a vital role in promoting sustainable shopping and raising awareness of our shops. boohoo.com’s team has actively supported us at events and contributed fantastic donations, many of which are brand new with tags. Burnley College students raised nearly £1,000 over two days with pop-up shops in the atrium!
Quality donations and successful campaigns like the Rewear Revolution, have helped shift perceptions of charity shopping. Launched in January 2023, Pendleside’s Rewear Revolution campaign encourages people to buy preloved items, embracing sustainable fashion and attracting a new generation of eco-conscious shoppers.
Dragonflies Boutique, which opened in November 2023, is a prime example of the success of our retail operations. In its first year, the boutique experienced a 50% increase in sales at its new location on Gisburn Road in Barrowford. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the boutique reached these sales with fewer items, reflecting a growing demand for high-quality designer and high-street fashion, which the boutique was specifically designed to offer.
It now costs over £6 million to keep the Hospice running, and with rising energy costs and increased operational expenses, it’s crucial that we continue to explore new ways to raise funds. Additionally, changes to National Insurance rates in April 2025 will add further financial pressure on the charity. While these challenges are considerable, they also showcase the resilience and adaptability of our retail team. Through careful management and the ongoing support of our community, we remain dedicated to ensuring our shops continue to thrive.
Our charity shops are more than just places to buy and sell goods. They are vital community hubs that provide a welcoming space for people to connect. Debbie, a regular visitor to our Duke Bar shop, shares her experience, “I love coming to this shop and I try to visit every day if I can - I've been coming for about 25 years! We've shared so many experiences together, and visiting here feels like having a friend to chat with and someone to see during the day. I've found so many lovely things here.” Stories like Debbie’s remind us that the value of our shops goes far beyond their financial contributions. They play an essential role in fostering community spirit and providing support to those who need it most.
Every purchase, donation, and act of support enables us to continue our essential work, offering care and compassion to those who need it most, while also making a positive difference to the environment. With ten shops across Burnley and Pendle, including a dedicated furniture shop and an eBay store, there’s plenty to explore. If you haven’t yet visited one of our shops, or if you haven’t shopped with us in a while, we invite you to come and discover what's in store.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to support a charity through volunteering, we’re always looking for retail volunteers! If you're interested, please reach out to Lisa Clarke at [email protected].