A hospice charity is hoping to open a new furniture and book shop in Colchester town centre.

St Helena Hospice currently runs two charity shops in Colchester, one in Dovercourt, one in Clacton, a bookshop in Frinton and a shop in Halstead. Between them, the hospice's six shops bring in £200,000 each year.

Its current warehouse is in Authur Street but there is not enough parking and the lease runs out on Christmas Day.

So the charity is seeking a new base and has set its sights on a 30m by 50m base in Magdalen Street.

If Colchester Council backs the idea, the new base would host a warehouse and a new furniture and book store.

Anyone interested in being a hospice volunteer at one of its shops should contact the volunteer team on 01206 845566.

Hospice director Ros Stamp said: "The warehousing side of the charity is very important with our different shops and it is a very good way of recycling unwanted items.

"We have been looking around for sometime for a suitable alternative location for the warehouse. Magdalen Street is very suitable for that purpose and has parking.

"The other major benefit would be having the space to sell furniture. At the moment turn lovely bits of furniture away because we have no room for it.

"We would also be able to sell books as well which we don't tend to have enough room for either."

The plans will now be looked at by planning officers who will make a recommendation to the planning committee which will decide the matter later this year.

Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003

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