STAFF at Prospect Hospice have been celebrating a year of business in their Regent Street charity shop yesterday (May 19).

The Wroughton-based charity moved into their current premises 12 months ago from across the road in hope of attracting more customers.

And on Friday, staff and volunteers were able to show their appreciation to their customers for their continued support with birthday cake.

Shop manager Laura Williams said: “It has been a fantastic year for us and it is a big year for our volunteers as well.

“We wanted to celebrate with a cake to say thank you to our dedicated 18 volunteers but also our customers.

“We originally started in Havelock Square and then moved into our old premises where we stayed for a few years. It was last May that we decided to move into this unit.

“By being in Regent Street, we do get a lot of passers-by coming in and the support from the customers is brilliant. The shop is light, bright and airy and they do like to come in and have a look at what we’ve got.”

From shoes to clothes, handmade cards to bric-a-brac, the charity shop is brimming with bargains and any purchase helps contribute towards the vital work Prospect Hospice carry out in the community.

“Everything we do is about Prospect and our volunteers dedicate their time because they want to support the hospice,” Laura added.

“The shop is so important to the charity to raise funds to provide care to people and that is down to the donations from our customers.

“A lot of people come in and have a browse or grab a bargain. We sell a mixture of stuff and being a charity shop, you never know what is going to come in for people to buy.”

As well as their first birthday, the Regent Street shop is also celebrating 25 years’ service from volunteer Laura Humphreys who will soon turn 90.