Flagship charity shop back in business after blaze
BRISTOL’S massive new British Heart Foundation store in the city centre was only open for two weeks before having to close due to a fire.
The devastating blaze in July, which started accidentally, forced the 7,000 square feet shop to close “until further notice”, just as it was beginning to find its feet.
But this week it finally reopened to the delight of its volunteers - and the thousands of shoppers who will be looking forward to exploring its many bargains.
British Heart Foundation stores across the UK raise around £30 million a year for life-saving research by turning donated items into highquality products which are great value for money.
Ceri Winter, Regional Manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: “I am delighted to attend the reopening of this flagship British Heart Foundation store in Bristol.
“The fire in July caused signifi- cant damage to our store and came as a huge disappointment for the volunteers and staff who opened it only two weeks earlier.
“It is therefore fantastic to have it back up and running, raising funds for life saving research into heart and circulatory disease.”
He added: “I would like to thank the local community for all their support and good wishes and would urge Bristol locals to kindly donate any unused clothing or homeware, so the store can resume its vital work.”
With a population of 456,000 people, there are currently around 41,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease in Bristol, including 11,580 people