FURNITURE sales at a new shop in Kidderminster will support people with life-limiting illnesses in Wyre Forest.

KEMP Hospice has opened its first dedicated furniture shop in Mill Street, selling pre-loved beds, sofas, wardrobes, dressers, cupboards and accessories.

The store was officially opened on Friday, June 28 by long-serving KEMP volunteer Dougie Allen, and will raise funds through the sale of its donated stock to allow KEMP to continue providing free care and support to people who are dealing with life-limiting illnesses and bereavement.

KEMP head of retail Lynne Haines said: "We are really excited to have opened our first dedicated furniture shop and we know how fortunate we are to be able to expand in these uncertain times.

"Everyone in retail knows how tough things are at the moment. There’s a lot of uncertainty over Brexit, there more people logging on to find bargains rather than visiting shops, some local retailers are dealing with things like roadworks in Kidderminster that are putting people off shopping in the town.

"At KEMP, we are so fortunate to have such fantastic supporters, like our landlords, and very generous donors which means that we can open a new shop like we have on Mill Street.

"We look forward to welcoming existing and new customers to our new furniture store and being able to support more patients.”

KEMP's existing charity shops sell clothing, accessories, bric-a-brac, DVDs and CDs, and are based in Bewdley Stourport and two in Kidderminster town centre.

The charity also has a by-appointment bridal department, a volunteer-run shop on the Spennells estate, a donation centre in Lisle Avenue and an online eBay shop.