Sobell House Hospice charity shop re-opens (From Witney Gazette)

Sobell House Hospice charity shop re-opens

2:57pm Tuesday 12th December 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

SOBELL House Hospice charity shop, in Witney, devastated by fire, is to re-open this week.

The shop, in Langdale Court, has undergone an extensive refurbishment after an arson attack in June.

Witney MP, David Cameron, and town mayor, Chrissie Curry, will be officially re-opening the shop to the public at 10am on Friday.

Rob Panting, fundraiser at Sobell House Hospice Charity, said: "We are delighted both the charity shop and Figments are able to return to their original premises. And we are delighted both David Cameron and Chrissie Curry have given up their valuable time to re-open the Sobell shop.

"The fire was a devastating blow to the charity, but it could have ended up being a lot worse if it wasn't for the fantastic and unwavering support given to the charity, not only by our supporters and volunteers, but also the Witney public as a whole. All of which we would like to publicly thank. The charity is back where it belongs - just in time for Christmas - and we are very hopeful of a prosperous beginning to the New Year."

In June, it looked as though the charity would be left homeless in the town, following the fire, which almost destroyed the shop.

"The fire was a devastating blow to the charity, but it could have ended up being a lot worse if it wasn't for the fantastic and unwavering support given to the charity, not only by our supporters and volunteers, but also the Witney public as a whole."

Rob Panting, fundraiser at Sobell House Hospice Charity

But after an immediate appeal for help in finding a new short-term premises, the Witney Town Charities group came to the rescue, and offered their Corn Street store on a peppercorn rent basis.

Use of the store ensured the charity was able to continue trading in Witney, while the damaged shop received an extensive redevelopment.

Figments, a neighbouring Langdale Court shop, was also severely damaged in the blaze.

Shop owner, Ali Edginton, has since, with the help of friends and family, started to rebuild her business, and plans to re-open the store soon.

If you would like to become a volunteer at one of Sobell's charity shops, or would like to make a donation, you can call the Sobell House Hospice Charity office, on 01865 857007.