Hope House opens a bigger shop in Bridgnorth with Charity Shop Girl visit to come

Bridgnorth's bargain hunters turned out in force when Hope House Children's Hospices opened its new shop on the High Street. Queues formed from 9am on Saturday 3 October, and by the end of the weekend customers had raised £8,000 for the charity.

The new store is twice the size of the charity's previous Bridgnorth shop. It has more room for quality pre-loved fashion, homeware and bric-a-brac, and a brand new Vibe area that the charity says is attracting a new generation of ethically minded fashion lovers.

Word spread quickly on social media, helped by a donation of leisure wear from the fashion brand Sisters and Seekers, which flew off the shelves. The shop was officially opened by local families cared for by Hope House.

Lindy Welch-Smart, head of retail at Hope House Children's Hospices, said the charity was proud to invest in its Bridgnorth shop. "The larger store gives us more space to display our range of pre-loved fashion and homeware, and of course new Vibe area," she said. She added that the charity was confident the investment would help it raise even more money for its services for local children and their families.

Next on the calendar is a visit from TV and social media star Jen Graham, known as Charity Shop Girl. On Friday 4 December she will host Rummage with Jen Graham in the shop's Vibe area, with live styling demos, tips and tricks, and pieces she has handpicked and donated herself. There will be complimentary drinks and nibbles, and sessions at 5pm and 7pm are limited to 30 guests each.

"For me, vintage has never just been about clothes. It's about stories, unique finds and that ambience you feel the second you walk into a room full of people who just get it," Jen said.

Shop manager Mandy Hill said the new shop provides a fantastic environment for volunteers and encouraged more local people to get involved. Every purchase helps Hope House care for local children with life-threatening conditions and their families.

Hope House Bridgnorth is at 33-34 High Street, Bridgnorth. Tickets for the Christmas rummage are £15 from hopehouse.org.uk/christmas-rummage, and volunteering details are at hopehouse.org.uk.