Willen Hospice unveils new look Woburn Sands shop and cafe

The charity Willen Hospice unveiled its new-look shop and cafe in Woburn Sands in an event earlier this week.

Willen Hospice’s Woburn Sands shop was unveiled in an event on Friday that was attended by local figures, including MP for Milton Keynes Central Emily Darlington, who is a passionate advocate for sustainable shopping and the care the charity provides for local people.

Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes, Paul Trendall, and Mayor of Woburn Sands, Cllr David Hopkins, were also at the shop bright and early to lend their support.

The transformation includes a bespoke seating area for the cafe, where customers can relax and enjoy their food and drink. The new look site also features an improved store layout, more modern decor, and more space for ladies clothing and accessories, which are bestsellers for the shop. 

To mark the reopening and thank customers for their loyalty, Willen Hospice also announced that they are launching a new hot drinks reward card at Woburn Sands. Customers will earn a stamp on their card each time they buy a drink from the cafe and their tenth drink will be free. 

The hospice said, “Originally opened in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, the shop’s team had little opportunity to change or improve the space. This refurbishment has allowed them to fully realise their vision, creating a more thoughtfully designed environment that better serves both customers and the staff and volunteers who work there.

“Behind the scenes, there’s now more space for the team to sort, label and store donated items. This means they can restock the shop’s shelves more quickly, offering better choice for customers.”

The new look Woburn Sands shop and cafe is open Monday to Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm. Parking is available either directly outside, further along the High Street, or a short walk away at the Russell Street or Chapel Street car parks.

Associate Director of Retail, Ian Palmer, said, “We’re incredibly excited to reopen our doors and welcome people back into the shop. We’ve created a space that’s not just somewhere to shop, but somewhere people want to spend time – whether that’s enjoying a coffee in our new seating area or browsing our rails. It’s the ideal place to bring a friend or family member, have a catch-up, and support local hospice care at the same time.  

“We also want our Woburn Sands shop and cafe to be a destination for those who are looking to save money while making more sustainable choices. Every visit, every purchase and every donation helps us continue to make a difference in our community, and we’re so grateful for that support.”