Charity shop eyes up part of Ludlow warehouse for new furniture store

Under the scheme, put forward by Spencer Manufacturing, around 900 square metres of their Sheet Road warehouse would be turned into a shop premises for Herefordshire-based charity St Michael's Hospice.

The charity says it has been looking for suitable premises in Ludlow "for several years" and, if plans are approved, the new shop would focus on selling second-hand furniture and bulky items.

Meanwhile documents submitted with the plans by Spencer Manufacturing say downsizing their warehouse would reduce the company's overhead costs.

Around 6 full-time jobs and four part-time roles could be created by the proposals.

"This will be an ideal customer and donor base for St Michael's Hospice. Our shops build a community for shoppers, donors and volunteers," said Rachel Jones, Income Generation Officer for the charity, in a letter accompanying the application.

"St Michaels wish to emulate their successful Home and Living model and take in donated goods to avoid them going to landfill and focus on household goods primarily.

"It will create vital income generation so that the hospice can continue offering care and support free-of-charge to terminally ill patients and their loved ones. 

"Last year alone the hospice supported around 2,500 people in Herefordshire and beyond. This is only made possible due to the charity's retail income and and community support through fundraising."

Under the proposals, a change of usage for storage and distribution, offices and "complementary uses" would also be included as part of the scheme.

A letter from the organisation's Chief Executive Matt Fellows added that the "bulk" of the charity's funding came from its retail operation. 

"Premises the size of the Spencer Manufacturing site will give us an opportunity to grow our income and bolster our existing portfolio, especially the smaller shops, that often have trouble getting stock donations through the front door," he said.  

A decision on the scheme is expected later this year, following the end of the statutory consultation period on April 14.

The application can be viewed online under reference 25/00966/FUL