Former Debenhams store to be transformed into ‘UK’s biggest charity shop’

Wigan’s former Debenhams department store is set to open again as a huge charity outlet.

After the well loved British department store closed its doors for good and disappeared from the high street, residents wondered whether the empty plot would ever be used again.

But now Rebuild With Hope has announced plans to take over the enormous space, located in the Grand Arcade, giving it a new lease of life as what could be the ‘country’s biggest charity shop’.

The flagship outlet will sell famous high street brand names in homeware and accessories at discounted prices of up to 70% off.

The foundation provides opportunities and works alongside people with barriers to employment, including ex-services veterans, homeless people, ex-offenders, refugees and asylum-seekers.

It provides direct employment for both full-time and part-time work, training opportunities and helps people access employment.

The organisation will occupy both floors of the unit, using the ground floor for retail space and the first floor for storage, training, drop-ins and wrap-around support.

Eight staff have already been recruited to stack the shelves for the retail space, while the charity will use sales to help fund its work.

As reported in Wigan Today, chief executive officer Louise Atherton said: “We have only been around for a couple of years but this is massive for us.

“I am from Wigan and was hoping that we could establish our base here and couldn’t believe it when this opportunity arose.

“We receive donations and seconds, but a lot of the products we will sell are surplus from high street names. A lot is donated by a company we work with and we also purchase from other organisations which get the stock from retailers.

“It means we can sell top quality products at discounts of up to 70 per cent and we have loads in reserve.”

Because Rebuild With Hope is a charity it does not pay rent for its unit in the Grand Arcade.

But, there is a clause which means bosses of the mall can change their mind and give the retailer 28 days’ notice to quit – which Ms Atherton hopes won’t be invoked. 

As a back-up plan the charity will also begin looking for alternative premises for its operation.

While there are contractual technicalities to settle, at the moment there is a hope there can be a soft opening on Thursday August 17th. An official launch date will then be arranged towards the end of September.