Kentish Express Ashford & District
New store to help people with rare skin conditions
A new charity furniture and electrical store is ready for a grand opening by the Mayor of Ashford next weekend.
Items have been appearing in the window and a new sign has been put up on 5,990 sq ft store in the Lower High Street.
It will be run by the charity Debra, which supports research for those who suffer from epidermolysis bullosa, a group of debilitating skin conditions which affects 5,000 people in the UK.
The furniture store will be the charity’s 12th nationwide and will create three full time jobs. Retail boss Dan Mooresaid: “We are delighted that the Mayor of Ashford, Cllr George Koowaree is able to come along to our shop opening.
“There will be a small celebration on opening day and we hope that local people will come along and have a look around.
“Setting up the new shop was a big team effort and I’d like to thank our volunteers and everyone who came to help.”
I t will be r un by Jack Kotnarowski, with items which have been donated by the public on sale for discounted prices.
The building had been empty since July 2014, when the bargain store Multisave closed just a year after replacing the former Blockbuster store.
Since revealing the news of the charity’s arrival last month, reaction has been mixed. Many of our readers are pleased that the shop will no longer stand empty at a key entrance to the town centre.
Meanwhile others are disappointed that a big name retail brand has not been attracted, and are worried it could hit trade at the Pilgrims Hospices furniture store around the corner.
Mr Moore added that volunteers would be welcome at the store, adding: “We’re a friendly bunch and new helpers will receive a warm welcome.
“Debra relies on the generosity of the public to carry out its work, improving lives and giving hope through specialist nursing care, family support and vital research to find a cure for the condition.”
The grand opening will take place of Saturday, September 3.
For more information visit www.debra.org.uk.