YC Team award candidate: Barnardos, Llanrwst

Oct 2 2008

Barnardos Llanrwst

RISING prices and reduced household spending have caused a fall in charitable donations, but has created a rush on charity shops as cash-strapped shoppers search out bargains.

One local shop is defying the odds because business is booming at Barnardo’s Cymru in Llanrwst. The shop in Ancaster Square has recently been named the top performing Barnardo’s shop for growth in the whole of the UK, with a 71% rise in comparable gross sales.

Barnardo’s has more than 350 shops throughout the UK, but the Llanrwst shop has beaten them all.

Shop manager Kim Holroyd said she was really proud of the nomination for her team of six volunteers: "This nomination is a real accolade to the team’s hard work, they always go the extra mile to help customers and sort stock in the shop.

"It is thanks to their hard work that we have been named the top performing shop in the UK. That’s quite an achievement in itself."

Betty Williams, MP for Conwy, is a great supporter of the shop and has even volunteered there as part of their Make a Difference Day.

Barnardo’s retail manager for Wales Marie Williams said: "Kim, her sales assistant and her team of volunteers deserve credit for all their hard work throughout the year.

"All profits from Barnardo’s shops are used to support the charity’s work with disadvantaged children in Wales, so Kim and her team are really helping make a difference."

Kim added: "I enjoy every day here as I know we are making a real difference. Our customer base is wonderful, we have tourists who visit us every year and the local community are in and out every day."