League of Friends shop celebrates ten years

Sunday, 18 December 2022 00:00

Salisbury District Hospitals League of Friends shop is celebrating its tenth anniversary despite some challenges along the way.

Towards the end of 2011, Salisbury Foundation Trust (SFT) advised the League of Friends that a W.H. Smith outlet was going to open in the main foyer of the hospital.

This had significant implications for the League’s shop, also in the main foyer, as it sold many items which would compete with W.H.Smith.

The League’s Trustees were told that the shop had either to close or come up with a viable alternative.

One of the Trustees, Trevor Grant, who had had over forty years of experience in the confectionery business, suggested we could sell hand-made confectionery, which he could source.

SFT agreed, and during the summer of 2012, the site of the existing shop was converted to make two shops – one for the League of Friends and one for the Stars Appeal for their bookstall.

The fact that both hospital charities were to work side by side seemed particularly appropriate.

Mark Bell, another Trustee, erected the shelving, drawers and cupboards for the new shop and his wife, Dawn, set about ordering all the necessary items to ensure the smooth running of the shop whilst also taking on the role of the shop manager.

Fortunately, many of those who helped in the previous shop were happy to help in the new one. After four months, and with over two hundred varieties of sweets and chocolates, as well as a wide range of sugar-free sweets, the newly designed and refurbished League of Friends shop was opened on the 19th of November 2012.

Over the years since then, the shop has expanded the range of goods that they sell. Chief amongst these is knitwear.

The League of Friends is fortunate to be supported by groups of ladies who provide the shop with lovely items – little jackets, hats, gloves, blankets, soft toys and even Christmas decorations!

The mainstay of the shop is the continued sale of confectionery. Their work over the years has resulted in profits ranging from £20,000 - £40,000 per year, which the League has been able to pass on to the hospital.