Bristol charity St Peter’s Hospice has called in city-based independent property specialists Williams Gunter Hardwick to look for suitable retail units to help meet its ambition to grow its portfolio of shops.
The charity already operates 47 outlets across the city, mostly in suburban shopping areas, but wants to open in parts of Bristol and satellite towns in South Gloucestershire and North Somerset where it not represented.
Target areas include Emersons Green, Mangotsfield, Bishopsworth, Stockwood and Longwell Green, as well as central Bristol.
While its most of its shops tend to be around 900 sq ft, it is also keen to find larger units in locations where it currently over-trades, such as Bradley Stoke, and it wants to open at least one ‘superstore’ of between 4,000 sq ft and 10,000 sq ft where it can sell second-hand furniture and electrical items.
The charity, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, depends on income from its shops to fund a significant proportion of the £18,000 a day it costs to care for adults with life-limiting illnesses as well as supporting their families.
Commercial director Roger Childs said: “Our shops play a vital role in the work of the charity and act as links with the community we serve as well as generating income.”
Williams Gunter Hardwick associate director Steve Cullis added: “Our brief is to find units in good quality locations for three different types of requirement.
“As well as shops to house the standard offer of clothes, books and smaller items, we are looking for at least one ‘charity superstore’. The charity has also broadened its offer by turning some of its shops into ‘£5 or less’ clearance units and, as these have been a great success, there is potential to open new sites specifically for this purpose.”
St Peters opened its first charity shop in 1981 on Wells Road in Knowle and has since established a strong portfolio, winning national awards for the most profitable charity shops.
Mr Cullis added: “We have worked closely with St Peter’s providing retail property advice for around 30 years now, so we’re delighted to still be playing a role in their important work.”
