A CHARITY shop’s cash registers have been ringing after a busy start for their new-look shop.

The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Halstead’s High Street closed for major refurbishment.

Two weeks on and it has reopened with a new fresher look which has won rave reviews.

Shop manager Chris Davies said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our stunning new-look shop. It’s beautiful and quite a transformation.

“It was one of the older stores in EACH’s portfolio and needed modernising and freshening up.

“Thankfully the tills have been ringing ever since. We’ve been exceptionally busy, and people have been happy to spend money.

“In fact, we recorded a week’s worth of takings in the first two days.”

The refurbishment included removing the shop’s old carpet and replacing with a more modern wooden floor.

The 1970s-style slatted wall panels have also been replaced with white one.

There has been plenty of positive environmental improvements too, including swapping an old gas boiler for sustainable infrared heating panels and lighting replaced with energy efficient LEDs.

READ MORE >> Letter: 'We need to work together and stand up to these speculative developers'

Mr Davies added: “We’ve had lots of positive feedback. Everyone is very impressed.”

It is also proving a hit with staff, with one saying it has never been a better time to volunteer at the shop.

Halstead mum-of-two Marlene Hunt has been volunteering at the shop for nearly six years.

She said: “Volunteering here is something I genuinely enjoy.

“It’s such a friendly shop to spend time in and I love seeing and chatting to our team and regular customers.

“Now it’s been refurbished it’s an even nicer place to spend time.”

Mr Davies and the team are also looking for anyone interested in volunteering in the shop, particularly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

“We’re ideally looking for someone to work on the till and sort through donations but would love to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly team.”

Anyone interested can contact Mr Davies at chris.davies@each.org.uk or by calling the shop on 01787 476753.