Customers arrive early as mayor opens store

The Mayor of Ashford joined eager shoppers at the grand opening of a new charity furniture and electrical store in the High Street.

The DEBRA charity shop opened its doors to customers on Saturday after taking on the 5,990 sq ft store which had stood empty at the entrance to the town centre at the bottom of the lower High Street since July 2014.

The charity entered into negotiations in spring this year, and by July shoppers could see contractors stripping away the old interiors and decorating the new store.

It had previously been occupied by Blockbuster Video, which closed in 2013, and then by the discount store Multisave, which closed a year later.

Since the closure the store had been touted by some as an ideal spot for a new Primark store, but the company has denied any interest in opening in the town.

On Saturday shoppers gathered to see the grand opening of the new store, which sells furniture and electrical goods donated to the charity, which runs 11 other similar stores across the country.

It supports and funds research into epidermolysis bullosa, a group of painful and debilitating skin conditions which affects more than 5,000 in the UK.

Charity boss Dan Moore said: “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.”

Mr Moore added that volunteers and donations to the store are welcome.

To find out more call 0300 323 0419 or visit www.debra.org.uk.

Mayor of Ashford Cllr George Koowaree with staff at the opening, and the queue of the first customers