There was huge interest in Helston on Friday when the Children’s Hospice South West’s new charity shop opened.

Taking over the shop formerly filled by Cancer Funding for Cornwall in Coinagehall Street, the shop is being managed by Carol Jane, with Kat Craddock as assistant manager.

Renovation and redecoration of the building has been watched with interest over the last couple of months, so when the doors finally opened it attracted plenty of custom.

From the moment that Children’s Hospice South West’s regional retail manager Sharon Eliot cut the ribbon to officially open the shop people filled the store, leading to a successful first day’s trading that resulted in £1,100 being taken.

The shop is selling high quality, secondhand goods, including bric-a-brac and clothes, as well as Children’s Hospice South West’s own range of goods.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We had some great, supportive comments about the shop décor from customers about how clean, airy and spacious it looked and what a pleasure it was to browse in – people seem pleased that the premises has been taken on by a local children’s charity and that the money will remain in the local area.”

Manager Carol has been working in Helston for the past two years and lives in Coverack, while Kat is a born and bred Helstonian who has been involved in working for and volunteering in other charity shops in the Helston area.

“We are extremely thankful to everyone on the area who supported us on Friday and are now hoping to recruit as many volunteers as possible to help support us in the day to day running,” added the spokesperson.

Volunteer application forms can be picked up from the shop or anyone interested in helping out can call Carol on 01326 618775 for more information.