THE manager of a charity shop which has made a return to Whitchurch says she is delighted they have been able to make a quick return to the town.

Nightingale House Hospice opened its new premises in High Street in Whitchurch on Friday, September 30, with the official opening duties attended upon by the mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Andy Hall.

There was a queue of people waiting to head into to the shop, much to the delight of the staff.

Suzanne Bartley, manager of the store, praised the town's fundraising spirit and how they always work to support good causes.

"I can't quite put it into words how happy I am and how nice it is to be back," she said.

"We missed all our regular customers and our donors.

"Whitchurch is a great fundraiser for our hospice which is what we are here for at the end of the day.

"We were thrilled to see the queue and so many familiar faces.

"Everybody seems so happy, it is wonderful."

Suzanne said that the new shop is larger than the previous one used, lower down the High Street and admitted that she and her staff were lucky to find the new premises, which is opposite the Civic Centre.

"We had a very small shop down there, lovely little shop," Suzanne said.

"We love it, our customers loved it and it was very successful.

"But we had to move locations and so we were lucky to find this place.

"We have got another nice fabulous new landlord and he refurbished the whole shop for us, which we are delighted with."

Cllr Hall was on hand to cut the official ribbon in his mayoral finery and admitted he was delighted to see an empty shop in a prominent position in the town be filled.

He said was pleased to be opening the new store in the town.

He added: "I am delighted to be opening the new Nightingale shop in Whitchurch.

"They have certainly got a larger premises in a building which had been decaying for many years, so it is great to see it being put back in to use.

"It is good to see the new premises opening up, especially in the High Street."