Royal Shrewsbury Hospital shops bring in £200,000 a year

In turn, the money made at the convenience stores, which are run by the League of Friends, is then used to buy new equipment and spent on improving patient care.

Ray Smith, chairman of the group, said there is potential to make more profit but prices are kept low for customers.

“Our main aim is to give the people in hospital a decent value service,” he said.

“We’re very conscious of keeping prices down and providing people with cheap tea and coffee in the cafe.

“We could easily make more but we’re very happy with what we’re currently doing. £200,000 is an impressive figure and one we shouldn’t be shy of quoting.”

There are four shops around the hospital selling refreshments, confectionary and toiletries.

They are all staffed by a team of volunteers who give up their time to work shifts.

Success

Mr Smith said there are about 120 people who regularly volunteer help to make the shops a success.

The group, which has been providing support for patients at the hospital since 1966, also brings in between £30,000 and £50,000 a year in fundraising.

“This money is made by us holding coffee mornings and other events like that,” Mr Smith added.

“It varies but in the past we have been raising about £1,500 a day – if not more.

“The rest of it comes in the form of donations and legacies, but of course, this amount is unknown because it changes every year.

“We regularly have people who have had treatment in the hospital and decide to leave us legacies in their will because of the service we have provided. Not only do we give good value for money, but we’re always there with an ear to listen to people’s problems and issues.”

Since its launch, the charity has gifted over £11 million to the hospital for vital pieces of hospital equipment. Most recently it handed over £1m for a new MRI scanner.

In the last two years alone the friends have donated more than £1.7m which included the purchase of 15 new renal dialysis machines.