On Tuesday 13 December we proudly opened our fourth high street charity shop. This latest edition to the growing chain of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) shops is something a little bit different.

Nestled right in the heart of popular Southgate Street, you’ll find high-quality ladieswear including designer and high street fashion, in a friendly boutique setting.

Shop Manager Ellie Watkins said: “In this cost-of-living crisis, the idea for the shop was to give the people of Gloucestershire an option to buy branded and designer clothes at bargain prices.”

Guests were invited to an opening ceremony that included a continental breakfast and an early look around the shop. And just before 09:00, the ribbon was cut by local volunteer, Caroline, and Nigel, a supporter from Gloucester Rotary Club.

Emma Fawcett, Supporter Engagement Coordinator at GWAAC, said: “Caroline and Nigel are the perfect ribbon-cutters because everything we do, including our shops, is built on our volunteers and supporters.”

Since opening our first shop in 2020, we have seen our retail team continuously grow with shops in Westbury-on-Trym, Yate, Cheltenham, and now Gloucester, with more to come.

Our shops help us raise vital funds and awareness in the communities that we serve.

Jason Webster, GWAAC’s Retail Manager, said:

“The new shop will help raise awareness of the charity’s lifesaving work in Gloucester and raise much-needed funds to keep the crew flying and to ensure that they can continue to be there for those in need. It’s a new type of shop for GWAAC; our boutique will sell a range of women’s high-quality clothing and accessories. I’m hoping it will encourage people to shop local and support their high street. It will also mean that GWAAC becomes a household name for the communities we serve.”

One of the first customers welcomed into the boutique was a young student. We asked her for her impressions of the shop. She said:

“I love it! The window display brought me in. My friends and I walk past every day. We’ve been loving the look of the outside. I also really like the colour-coordinated look inside. It means I can go straight to my favourite colour rails. I think it all looks great!”

If you live in the area, or if you’re passing through, drop in and explore our sustainable and ethical second-hand selection of clothes, shoes, coats, belts, bags, and jewellery. An item is waiting to be re-loved by you. The shop is open from 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday.

Also, if you have any good-quality clothing, shoes, belts, bags, and jewellery donations that you would like to drop off, please leave them with someone at the shop during the day.

And if you are interested in volunteering for your local air ambulance charity’s new shop, you can find out more by asking inside the shop or getting in touch with the Shop Manager at ellen.watkins@gwaac.com.