'Bargain' shop in Sutton Coldfield named 'best in West Midlands'

Acorns Hospice Shop Mere Green manager, Nicky Hales, and volunteer Sheryl Bolden were delighted the Lichfield Road store was named the best charity shop in the West Midlands
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A shop in Sutton Coldfield selling ‘pre-loved’ items at bargain prices has been named ‘the best’ in the region and is the running to be named the best in the country. Acorns Children’s Hospice shop in Mere Green has been named the ‘best in the West Midlands’ by the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards 2024, run by the Charity Retail Association.

The Sutton charity shop sits off Lichfield Road in a parade in the Four Oaks suburb and has been praised for its ‘friendly and dedicated staff’, the ‘quality of its items’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘its urgent work in raising vital funds for seriously ill children across the region’.

The Mere Green store was one of 6,500 nominations, with 12 winners across the United Kingdom picking up a regional award and all vying for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop 2024 title next month.

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The shop is run by staff and volunteers who were said to be ‘absolutely elated’ after thousands of votes were cast by members of the public. Nicky Hales, manager at Acorns Mere Green, said: “I cannot tell you how proud the team feels. I work with a fantastic group of people and it’s their friendliness and dedication that has led to this amazing award.

“We’re absolutely elated to be have been crowned as winners. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, and to our loyal customers and volunteers who give their time to make sure we succeed and can fund lifeline care and support for the children and families who desperately need us.”

While volunteer Sheryl Bolden said: “We are a community charity shop, and we’ve got such a committed and loyal customer base. We are all so passionate about our shop being on the map.

“It’s such an amazing community, and the team here are like family. “To see all the incredible work done by Acorns in the community is so rewarding.”

The 'friendly' Acorns Hospice Shop in Lichfield Road, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield
The 'friendly' Acorns Hospice Shop in Lichfield Road, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield

The Mere Green Acorns store was one of six charity shops short-listed in the West Midlands and came out on top. It also beat other Acorns fundraising outlets, with almost 50 shops and superstores across the West Midlands which raise money towards the charity’s lifeline care of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and support for their families.

Robin Osterley, chief executive at the Charity Retail Association, said: “Huge congratulations to Acorns Children’s Hospice. This award is a testament to the dedication of the shop’s staff and volunteers, and highlights what this wonderful store means to the local community.

“We have been overwhelmed by the public’s response to our search for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop, which celebrates the contribution the sector makes to communities and good causes across the UK.”

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Gary Pettit, retail director for Acorns, added: “What a fantastic achievement for our team. Not only does this recognise their hard work and dedication, it shows that because of our customers we can be there for children and families when they need us the most.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and helps their families. In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 750 children across the West Midlands, and supported almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

"I work with a fantastic group of people and it’s their friendliness and dedication that has led to this amazing award" said Acorns Hospice's Mere Green shop manager, Nicky Hales, pictured outside the shop in Lichfield Road
"I work with a fantastic group of people and it’s their friendliness and dedication that has led to this amazing award" said Acorns Hospice's Mere Green shop manager, Nicky Hales

This care and support is provided from Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community. Acorns needs around £30,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two-thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.