THE LOCAL branch of a cat protection charity is to open its first ever shop in Dorchester.
Volunteers for Weymouth and District Cats Protection are busy setting up the charity shop at 31a Great Western Road, the store formerly occupied by Robert Prowse television store and LA Brides.
The store marks a significant step forward for the branch, with all money raised going towards helping cats in the local area.
Branch coordinator Gloria Ashwell said: “This branch has effectively been going for 18 years and this is the first time it has had a shop.
“All the proceeds will stay in this branch and will be used to fund our day-to-day cat work taking in and caring for unwanted cats and kittens.
“So we hope the shop will help us move forward and also raise our profile so we can urge more volunteers to join us and we also need people to foster and people to adopt cats from us.”
The shop will officially open its doors for the first time on Wednesday, August 1, when Dorchester Town Crier Alistair Chisholm will be performing a specially written cry for the occasion.
The store will be managed by Natalie Newett, who has experience of managing the Sue Ryder charity shop in Blandford.
She said: “It’s going to be great fun and it’s a lot bigger shop than I’m used to.”
Natalie will head up a team of nine volunteers but said she is always keen to hear from anyone else who wants to come and lend a hand, particularly anyone who can operate the till.
She has also been impressed with the donations helping to fill the shelves as the shop prepares to open but, again, said the store is always happy to accept more.
Natalie said: “We are always welcoming donations, we are not set up for electrical items but we will take pretty much anything else such as small furniture, books, records, CDs and ladies wear.”
To contact the shop before August 7 contact Natalie direct on 07568085102 or afterwards call the shop direct on 01305 213358.
Anyone wanting to donate can also drop into the store any time from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Saturdays or email <&bh"mailto:cpshopdorchester@hotmail.co.uk">cpshopdor
chester@hotmail.co.uk<&eh>
Those wanting to contact the charity itself about a cat or related issue are urged to contact Gloria on 01305 262737 or email <&bh"mailto:catsnkittens@tiscali.co.uk">catsnkittens@tiscali.co.uk<&eh>
n harry.hogger@dorsetecho.co.uk