New charity shop opens in Newport

There was a queue of waiting customers when the Cats Protection shop swung open its doors in St Mary's Street on Tuesday.

The town already has a plethora of charity shops, including the Severn Hospice, Katharine House Hospice, Oxfam, the League of Friends and Sue Ryder.

The Cats Protection shop has filled a building left empty when Katharine House moved to larger premises in High Street.

Manager Hilary Everitt said the shop had received a warm welcome from customers.

She said: "As soon as this building became available we were interested because it used to be a charity shop and was the perfect size for us.

"I'm from Newport myself so I know it's a lovely area and the footfall is good.

"Even before we opened we had people coming in with their donations, and we've had lots of people through the doors since.

"All of the money raised will go to help cats in the area."

The shop, which sells the usual array of clothes and bric-a-brac, has two paid members of staff as well as volunteers.

More volunteers are still required.

Cats Protection was launched in 1927 and now helps around 218,000 cats and kittens every year through its network of more than 250 volunteer-run branches, 29 adoption centres and two homing centres.

The charity also provides information and promotes the benefits of neutering.

The shop's arrival was welcomed by Patrick Beech, the chairman of Newport & District Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "This fills an empty building and it's all for a good cause.

"The charity shops in Newport are conveniently spread out so it's not a problem."