Shops and stores vital to charity's revenues
THE importance of the hospice's retail arm has grown enormously since Yvonne Colclough joined the staff at The Douglas Macmillan Hospice in 1988.
Yvonne, the Dougie Mac's Head of Retail, said: "Back then we had just three shops – in Hanley, Cheadle and Longton – and they were very much traditional charity shops selling clothes and bric-a-brac."
Things have changed an awful lot since then. The Dougie Mac now has 16 shops across North Staffordshire which bring in around £1 million in revenue towards the charity's annual £9 million running costs.
Yvonne, aged 53, of Werrington, explained some of the reasons behind the charity's growing emphasis on retail.
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She said: "I think the economic climate is a factor because people quite rightly think they will be able to pick up a bargain in a charity shop.
"However, I also think charity shops have become quite trendy – especially with younger people who know that, in terms of clothing, they will be able to buy what are effectively one-offs."
In addition to furniture superstores in Longton and Meir, the Dougie Mac also operates the popular cafe at Carmountside Crematorium, in conjunction with the city council.
Around 90 per cent of the goods sold in the Dougie Mac's other general charity shops are donated by the public.
They welcome donations of clothes, bric-a-brac, audio visual and electrical goods but aren't able to accept mechanical items (including bikes), upholstered furniture that does not carry a fire retardant kite mark or soft toys.
These stores are located in: Alsager (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Biddulph (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Blurton (Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm); Cheadle (Two stores – Mon to Sat, 9am to 4pm); Chesterton (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Hanford (Mon to Fri, 11am to 7pm and Sat to Sun 9am to 5pm); Kidsgrove (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm and Sun, 9am to 5pm); Leek (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Longton (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Newcastle (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm); Norton (Mon to Sun, 9am to 5pm); Stoke (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm) and Tunstall (Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 4.30pm).
All stores welcome donations of goods. Call the hotline for a donation bag on 01782 344339 or email: shops@dmhospice.org.uk
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