Award Winning Emmaus North Staffs on the move to bigger premises
AN award-winning Stoke-on-Trent charity has thanked shopping centre managers for their support over the last two years as it gets set to expand and relocate to a new site.
Emmaus North Staffs have had a charity shop on the lower floor of The Potteries Centre since May 2022, where they have had the opportunity to diversify their offerings to the public.
Now, as the charity continues to grow, they are moving to a newly renovated site located just a few minutes walk away at New Hall Road, in Hanley.
The large 60,000 square feet building was once the home to GO Outdoors and Tesco and can cater not just for Emmaus North Staff’s shop, but also their emporium which was formerly based in Etruria.
(Image: Emmaus North Staffs staff with the team from The Potteries Centre)
The Potteries Centre shop closed on Monday 30 September, with the new site opening from Monday 14 October.
John Webbe, Executive Lead of Emmaus North Staffs, said: “We have had a fantastic experience with the Potteries Centre and we thank all the Centre team who have helped us in the last couple of years.
“The shop we had there had been great and is a fantastic large space, but the time has come for us to relocate to an even bigger premises as we bring everything – including the home and furniture warehouse – together under one roof which is really exciting for us as we move forward.”
Amy Whittaker, The Potteries Centre manager, said: “We’ve loved being able to support Emmaus North Staffs over the last two years and wish them all the best in their exciting new chapter. The team have been amazing to work with and I’m sure they’ll continue to succeed in their support of the local community in their new premises. With them only being down the road I’m sure we’ll still be frequent visitors.”
Manager of the charity shop, Tish Cooke, added: “We have really enjoyed serving all of our customers in the Potteries Centre, and it’s been great to meet so many people over the last two years.
“We cannot thank Amy and her team for the support and although it will be sad to say goodbye, we are only down the road and it is an exciting time for the charity.
“There are some exciting plans for the new site and we cannot wait to open the doors and welcome the public in from October.”
Emmaus North Staffs works to prevent furniture poverty – was crowned the winner of the Business in the Community – Charity category at the Staffordshire University Business Awards 2024 on 5 September.
The charity supports around 850 local households each year by supplying furniture items to those who cannot afford them. This can include beds, settees, chairs, tables as well as wardrobes, draws and appliances.
The new base – which will stock all of the above and more – will be open to the public six days a week from Monday 14 October.
