A SHOP run by volunteers at the heart of Broomfield Hospital has been transformed by a major re-vamp.
The refurbishment of the shop, run by Friends at Broomfield Hospital, has created extra space earning it the nickname "The Tardis".
It will mean the volunteers can give an even better service to patients, visitors and staff, and boost the money raised by the shop, which the Friends donate to the hospital for medical equipment and other facilities.
Jenny Gillingham and Barbara Coupe, long-standing volunteers with the Friends and joint managers of the shop are delighted with its new look and improved set up.
"We have more shop space and a better layout for the fittings. Everything looks brighter and better after being painted and decorated, " said Jenny.
"We are very proud of the shop and know that our customers will feel even more welcome with the improved surroundings."
Barbara said: "It is brilliant to have more space to display a wider range of stock and we can now accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs much more easily. The whole thing feels so much better. The refurbishment, which was paid for by the Friends, was much needed as the last one was about eight years ago."
The shop, at the South entrance to the hospital, sells a wide range of goods including sandwiches, soft drinks, fresh fruit, yoghurts, newspapers and magazines, greetings cards, confectionery and some toiletries.
It is one of the two shops run on the Broomfield Hospital site by the Friends group. It is open all day from Monday to Friday, with shorter opening hours at weekends and on bank holidays.
The shop is also a focal point for volunteers from the Friends who take stocked-up trolleys around the wards seven days a week, so patients can buy items they need.
