Chelmsley Wood has welcomed its newest and largest charity shop – the Acorns Children’s Hospice superstore which is dedicated to supporting lifeline care for seriously ill children.

We dropped by to take a closer look behind the scenes and discover the top-selling treasures making waves with local shoppers.

It’s not what you would expect from a charity shop. For starters, it’s big. Spanning over 7,000 square feet, the store not only boasts a large shop floor but also a network of back rooms, including multiple sorting zones, a product testing area and even its own DIY workshop. With such an expansive layout, Acorns newest superstore is more than equipped to handle the high demand from shoppers.

What sets it apart even further is its retail park-style vibe. Specialising in furniture and homeware, the superstore offers an impressive range of items – from complete sofa sets and electric beds to tumble dryers and oak dining room tables. It’s the kind of place where you could furnish an entire house in just one visit.

Best of all, shoppers are scoring incredible deals thanks to the store’s budget-friendly prices, making it a must-visit destination for bargain hunters looking to support the vital care of children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.

Making an incredible £6,500 on its opening day, the Chelmsley Wood shop has become Acorns most successful launch to date. With over £2 million of the charity’s annual funding coming from its retail operation, it is poised to make a significant impact.

It’s no surprise the shop is thriving. Designed with extra logistics, it features a dedicated team of drivers for home furniture deliveries and collections, a donation station, and its own dock to handle large items with ease.

And when it comes to sales, it’s truly a case of ‘sofa, so good’. Deputy Store Manager Alina Murea shared a standout moment with us: “A couple of weeks ago, I styled this gorgeous sofa for the window display, making it look like a cosy living room. Within ten minutes, it was sold. I couldn’t believe it.

“I think the longest we’ve had an item of furniture on the shop floor is two weeks,” she said. “With our drivers making collections every day, it’s the kind of place you need to visit daily to snag a bargain – you’ll see one thing one day and something completely different the next – and people do!

“We have customers waiting at the door at 9am. It’s incredible.”

But the success doesn’t stop at furniture. The superstore also sells all the classic charity shop items and has become the top-performing branch in the charity’s ‘Not New, Not Perfect’ campaign. The initiative offers minorly flawed clothing items – like pieces with small stains or tiny holes – at heavily reduced prices, and it’s been a real hit with customers.

“Sometimes, I can’t even tell what the ‘not perfect’ part is on the item of clothing,” Alina admitted. “With prices like 50p for a gorgeous children’s jacket, it’s no wonder the campaign is so popular. I’ve even bought loads myself.”

The ‘Not New, Not Perfect’ scheme rolled out across all Acorns shops in December, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything the staff and volunteers do. From meticulously steaming every item of clothing to ensuring all electrical goods are PAT tested, the team is going above and beyond to provide a ‘seamless’ shopping experience.

“One moment really stands out to me,” Alina said. “We had an old-fashioned pram donated to us. It was beautiful but in need of some TLC. Thankfully, we had Craig – our very own ‘Mr. Fix Everything’ – on hand, and he worked his magic to recondition it.

“It only took three days before we sold it to a lovely customer who bought it for her granddaughter at the fantastic price of £100 – far more than we ever expected when it first arrived.”

Visiting the shop was an eye-opening experience, revealing just how innovative and modern a charity shop can be in its approach to selling items.

“One of the joys of working in our shops is uncovering hidden treasures and seeing the excitement they bring to shoppers,” Alina beamed.

“On top of that, knowing that every item sold, and every hour worked directly contributes to providing more support for the children and families we care for makes this job truly fulfilling.”

This New Year, you can make a difference by donating your unwanted items to an Acorns store or giving the gift of time by volunteering in one of their shops. Every bit of support goes a long way in helping Acorns continue to provide vital care for children and their families.

Every family deserves the chance to create unforgettable memories with their child, no matter how short their time together.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and support that allows their families to make the most of each precious moment.

In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 780 children across the West Midlands, and supported over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

This vital gift of care and support is provided from Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community.

Acorns needs around £35,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

Give the gift of Acorns care and support for seriously ill children and their families this New Year by supporting your local Acorn shop or superstore. Visit www.acorns.org.uk/shop to find your nearest store.