Queues of shoppers on opening day for Willen Hospice’s new clearance outlet

Willen Hospice has officially opened the doors to its brand new clearance outlet in Stacey Bushes, welcoming more than 500 customers on the first day.

With everything priced at just £1, £3 or £5, shoppers were queuing around the block on Thursday to be the first to grab a bargain and support the outlet’s launch. The city’s Mayor, Councillor James Lancaster, and Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Broadhurst, were present to cut the ribbon.

More than 2,600 items were sold on opening day alone, half of which were women’s clothing. This raised vital funds that will help the Hospice continue providing life-changing care for the community. 

As well as a great selection of women’s and men’s clothing and homewares, the shop also features a concession from Off The Record – the Hospice’s hugely popular independent music store based in central Milton Keynes. This was a big draw for some shoppers, with more than 500 vinyls and CDs being sold.

Ian Palmer, Associate Director of Retail at Willen Hospice, said “The opening of our clearance outlet has exceeded all our expectations. We were delighted that so many of the community came along to support us, and this shows how important sustainable shopping is to local people. The average item price is £2, so this really is a great place to get a bargain!We’re also incredibly grateful to our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to get the shop ready. Seeing the community come together like this reinforces why this shop matters and the positive impact it will have.”

The Hospice needs to raise £9.6 million each year to provide its expert care services for local people with a life-limiting illness. Its 13 charity shops across Milton Keynes and neighbouring areas are one of its most important and reliable sources of income. Through shopping sustainably, customers are directly helping care for patients and their families. 

The new clearance outlet is located at the front of Stacey Bushes Trading Centre on Erica Road, with plenty of free parking and makes a new permanent edition to the Hospice’s growing retail presence. Opening hours are 10am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). To keep up to date with shop events and sales, follow Willen Hospice Shops on Facebook and Instagram.

If you’d like to get involved in running the clearance outlet, the Hospice is currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference, meet new people and be part of a team. For more information, pop into the shop, visit willen-hospice.org.uk/volunteer-in-retail or call 01908 306998