New Ivybridge charity shop is bigger, better and brimming with bargain furniture

St Luke’s new Ivybridge charity shop opens

St Luke’s has thrown open the doors of its spacious new charity shop in Ivybridge, welcoming customers keen to donate their good-quality, unwanted items and snap up bargains in aid of local hospice care. There to cut the ribbon at the store’s official opening on Monday 7 May 2024 was the town’s Mayor, Councillor Alan Spencer, who was joined by shop manager Dee Spiller and community nurses from St Luke’s at home team.

New location at Erme Court

Open seven days a week and with two hours free parking right outside, the new store at Erme Court car park (opposite The Watermark, in the building formerly occupied by Western Carpets and Pine) has replaced our previous smaller shop, which was a fixture on the town’s high street from its opening in 2012 until its recent closure.

Furniture, mattresses, clothes, toys and bric-a-brac

With around three times the floor space of the previous premises, St Luke’s new charity shop boasts a wide choice of high-quality, second hand furniture, plus a range of brand new mattresses as well as preloved clothes, toys, books and bric-a-brac. The smart décor features distinctive purple walls combined with environmentally friendly black steel and timber.

Every item sold helps fund the compassionate end of life care and support for which St Luke’s is renowned. This specialist service extends beyond Plymouth into Ivybridge and the South Hams so that local families are looked after with the professionalism, kindness and sensitivity they need at the very toughest of times.

Working alongside shop manager Dee and assistants Sue and Rosanne, is a team of kind-hearted volunteers committed to making a vital difference at the heart of their community.

Thank you for your donations

Mike Picken, Head of Retail at St Luke’s, said: “With St Luke’s free furniture collection service now running six days a week, it is easier than ever for people to donate sofas and other large items they no longer need. Consequently, our second hand furniture outlets receive a steady supply of stock and our customers have plenty of choice, all of which increases retail income to support our patient care.

“Thank you to everyone who has been donating to and buying from our new Ivybridge shop. Your kindness is a fantastic example of the community supporting the community, generating profits that will enable St Luke’s to provide hospice care at home for the equivalent of six families a week.”

St Luke’s free furniture collection service

St Luke’s free furniture collection service is available Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm. To arrange a collection, click here or call 01752 964455 (Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm).

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