A HOSPICE will open a new furniture shop next week.

The St Cuthbert’s Hospice outlet will sell donated furniture, homeware and small electrical items and books.

The facility, on Meadowfield Industrial Estate, near Durham City, will be officially opened by hospice chief executive Paul Marriott on Wednesday (September 10).

The move has led to the Durham hospice creating two new jobs and more volunteering opportunities.

Mr Marriott said: “We hope by opening this facility we are able to offer to our local community a service they can really benefit from.

“All the monies we raise through the outlet, as with our other seven shops across the county, goes toward maintaining services in our inpatient and day hospice.

“The money will also be used to help our bereavement, dementia and other services for local people.”

Bill Brierley, retail supervisor at the new store, said: “We are all very excited to be part of this.

“We are looking for volunteers and will always need people’s donations.

“The goods are very, very reasonably priced and you won’t find anything that is worn out or dirty.”

The store will be open 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday. For more information, call 0191-378-4720.

The hospice provides free care for people with life-limiting illnesses across north Durham.

It receives some NHS funding but must raise a further £1.3m a year.