Huge interest in charity's new vintage shop

There has been a surge in interest after a charity announced plans to open a new vintage shop next week, with thousands clicking to read the story.

The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is trialling its new store in Buckingham from next week - after a delay of over a year.

The site, in Bridge Street, was originally due to open in March 2020, but was hit by lockdowns and restrictions on non-essential retail.

It will be managed by Sybil Jane Edgar, who currently runs the charity's Winslow shop.

Head of retail Lily Caswell said: “Our shop in Buckingham is Grade II-listed so it seems fitting to try a vintage offer in such a lovely old building.

"We know that there is a keen interest in vintage and collectable items in and around Buckingham and Winslow, so we thought this would be a good place to try our first specialist vintage shop.

“We are lucky to receive so many fabulous donations, including lots of vintage items such as clothes, accessories, books and collectables.

"Having had success selling vintage items in our Winslow shop, we are keen to try a specialist shop so we have the perfect place to sell all the unusual, collectable, vintage and antique pieces that we are so kindly given.

"We hope that it will become a destination for thrifters, treasure hunters and collectors looking for something special.

“Our charity shops are a fundamental part of funding hospice services in Buckinghamshire and, with the closure of ‘non-essential’ retail on three occasions over the last 12 months, we have seen a significant impact on money we have been able to raise this year.

"We are relieved to see the opening up of the sector and to finally be able to open our new Buckingham shop.”

Florence Nightingale Hospice has served people in Buckingham and surrounding villages for over 30 years, providing free specialist care for those with advanced disease for which curative treatment is no longer an option. To provide its free care services, the charity needs to raise over £1 million a year.

The charity recently extended its service in north Bucks with an enhanced hospice at home team called FNH@Home to support patients who wish to spend their final days in their own homes.

The new Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Shop at 23 Bridge Street, Buckingham, will be open from 9am to 5pm Thursdays to Saturdays from Thursday, April15.

The charity is also looking for volunteers to help make the shop a success – visit www.fnhospice.org.uk/retailvolunteer