A TIVERTON store which has been out of use for many years it to be reopened as a charity shop in the spring.

The former Soundy's outlet store on Gold Street, Tiverton, has been taken over by Mid Devon charity Hospiscare, who plan to open what is expected to be the largest permanent charity store in the town.

The move sees the Tiverton Hospiscare shop relocate from Bampton Street to the nugget Buildings, Gold Street.

Hospiscare Head of Retail, Helen Hutter, believes the move will be of great benefit to the charity. She said: “Moving to larger premises enables us to offer our customers, old and new, a greater selection of items to purchase, such as small occasional furniture and a greater selection of electrical items creating a lovely Home Ware section.

“Engaging with our customers is really important to us - making sure that they have a great shopping experience and providing them with items they would like to see and buy.”

Hospiscare is an independent charity caring in Exeter, mid and east Devon, whose shops help them to generate the £4.5m needed each year to care for terminally ill patients in the area.

The Tiverton shop plays a vital role in helping Hospiscare nurses to care for patients in Tiverton, Culm Valley and Crediton, as well as the specialist, high-quality care offered at Pine Lodge - the day hospice at Post Hill, Tiverton. The charity runs a hospice in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, as well as the day centre at Pine Lodge.

At any one time, Hospiscare look after 700 patients in the community and hope that the move will enable them to continue doing so.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We thank all of our supporters and hope they will continue to support their local Hospiscare shop when we move from Bampton Street to Gold Street.”