Melton charity shop to reopen as a children’s store

The Dove Cottage Hospice store, in Windsor Street, has been closed during the ongoing pandemic but plans are in place to give it a makeover by the time non-essential shops are allowed to reopen.

The hospice’s other shops - at Stathern, Asfordby, Bottesford and Cotgrave - will open again to customers on April 12.

The Melton store will follow the month after with new stock, including toys, books, DVDs, children’s clothes and baby equipment.

It was decided during the closure period to take a change of direction and that a children’s shop would complement the town’s other retail units.

Applications have already closed for two new part-time posts at the store, for a manager and assistant manager, although there will be opportunities for volunteers to help staff the outlet.

Chris Gatfield, Dove Cottage’s CEO, said: “We’re very excited to be launching a children’s shop in Melton - it’s something new for us and we have lots of ideas about how to create a fantastic shopping experience for families or anyone looking for a great value children’s gift.

“We look forward to seeing customers there again.”

The loss of revenue from the shops, which also sell tickets for regular raffles, has left a funding hole in the finances of the charity.

It also lost out on thousands of pounds from the annual Santa Fun Run being cancelled due to the pandemic. although £4,500 was raised through the event being operated virtually.

Further vital cash was lost by the forced temporary closure of the charity’s tea rooms, on the banks of the Grantham Canal in Stathern.

The organiation is grateful for funding being given by Hospice UK to help keep it going, as well as for the many generous small cash donations it receives.

Dove Cottage Hospice, which is based in Canal Lane in Stathern, has continued to provide care services to vulnerable people with life-limiting illnesses online, by telephone or via home visits throughout the pandemic.

It offers dementia support, nursing advice, carers’ groups, bereavement support and complementary therapies.

The hospice, which is celebrating its 25th year in existence, will reopen to guests this summer and staff plan to widen its remit to care for people who are frail and those who are suffering from loneliness through isolation.

New referrals are welcomed for these people as well as the palliative care individuals it has traditionally supported.

More than 70 guests were cared for there over four days each typical week but this number will be reduced in the early weeks of reopening with the need to continue social distancing for a period of time.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Melton shop or any of the others is asked to email [email protected] or call the office on 01949 860303.