New high-end shop a 'massive gamble', says hospice

SJ Waites, LOROS area manager, says the hospice needs the money

A hospice charity says a new city centre concept store has been built around sustainable shopping and social conscience.

LOROS Hospice opened This + That on 21 November in High Street, Leicester, which area manager SJ Waites said was "probably four times the size" of their next biggest shop.

Ms Waites said the shop's big space - spread over two floors - and big rent made it a "massive gamble".

However, she told the BBC that This + That had made the same amount of money as four traditional shops in the space of a week, adding that the hospice "needs money".

LOROS said the store design had been created from reused furniture and donated paint

The shop sells a range of items, including games, bridal gowns and homeware.

Ms Waites said: "This is to try and encourage the younger generation to come into charity shops, see what we're all about and hopefully find a bargain in the meantime."

According to LOROS, the cost of care for four out of every five of its patients was raised through fundraising.

Ms Waites added the shop "has a big target, so it needs to work".

Bicycles reconditioned by prisoners from HMP Stocken are also sold at the shop.

Zeynep Goruryilmaz, shop manager, said it had been "so busy" since opening.

She added: "We will be more busy, and we have lovely volunteers, and we will need more volunteers. The atmosphere is fantastic here."