Demelza Hospice Care for Children launches shop specialising in children's belongings

A Kent charity has opened a shop specialising only in pre-loved children's clothes and belongings.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children has opened the unit in Sheerness High Street.

Bags of clothing, toys, prams and maternity wear have been shipped in from the charity’s 23 other shops in Kent and the south east in advance of the launch.

Area manager Robin Watson said: “I think this is a lovely concept.

“We think this will be phenomenal for mums-to-be. We reckon you can dress a child from top to toe from us for a fiver.”

Manager Jane Noble, who used to work in the nearby Co-op store, is excited at the unusual venture.

She said: “I have spent 20 years in retail but this is my first shop for Demelza.

“I was thrown in at the deep end two weeks ago when it was just an empty shell. Since then I have steamed more than 2,000 donated items to get them ready for sale.”

The shop will cater for babies through to teenagers and will include maternity clothing, children's clothing, highchairs, toys, games and prams.

It is also now welcoming donations.

Rachel Stead, the charity’s operations manager, said: “This is our first children-only shop in a High Street."

The shop opens at 10.30am. For more details call 01795 663523.