Demelza launches newest shop and distribution centre

Our new shop has launched in the heart of Larkfield this morning (Tuesday). The ribbon to open the store was cut by first in the queue Rosemary Stapley, from nearby East Malling.

She had stopped by with her daughter Allison George, from West Malling. The pair said they were regular visitors to the Maidstone store and have been looking forward to opening day. Rosemary was hoping to find a pair of boots and Allison was looking forward to the Christmas offerings.

The shop, on Sheldon Way, will be open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Visitors will find a treasure trove of goods on offer, from furniture, homeware and clothing to toys, media and more. 

Demelza previously had its distribution centre at a large site in Maidstone, but when the lease ended earlier this year, the team began searching for bigger and better premises.

The new site is a one-stop shop for donations, storage and distribution of stock to other Demelza locations across the county and further afield. There are also offices at the location for the charity’s retail and e-commerce teams.

Demelza’s Director of Retail Trading, Ashley Henson, said: “We were absolutely delighted to secure the premises in Larkfield earlier this year and the team has worked incredibly hard to get us to opening day.

“It’s the perfect location and it’s always an exciting time when we open a new store. We are looking forward to welcoming people through the doors, whether they are donating items or browsing for that perfect find.

“We’re especially thrilled about our Larkfield venture as we are focusing on sustainability and have plans to reduce waste, with in-house processes around textile recycling and renewable practices.

“Opening a new shop takes a great deal of effort and I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work. The shop looks fantastic and we already have some great stock, so we would encourage everyone to come and take a look – it really is a treasure trove.

“Of course we would also welcome any donations. We’re open seven days a week which we hope will make it easier for people to drop off their pre-loved goods.”

Demelza has 30 shops across Kent, East Sussex and in Eltham. As well as raising vital funds for the charity, the shops also provide job and volunteering opportunities to people across the areas.

Demelza’s shop, processing and e-commerce teams are looking to expand their volunteer numbers. Whether it’s listing items on eBay, serving customers in a shop or processing donations, there’s a role for you. To find out more about volunteering at Demelza Larkfield please get in touch at volunteering@demelza.org.uk