We dropped by one of the two charity shops in Welshpool in the running to be named as the best in the UK.

Sue Ryder charity shop on Welshpool High Street was listed as one of the nominations for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award 2024, run by the Charity Retail Association.

Being one of six nominees for Wales, among the 12 regions included in the award which will name a winner for each region as well as an overall winner for the whole UK, we paid a visit to see what sets the Welshpool shop apart.

Shop manager Louise Davies said: “It’s the result of a lot of hard work. We rely a lot on our volunteers and have a fabulous team in Sue Ryder.

"They rise to every challenge I ask of them and help create a very positive atmosphere for our customers.

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“It means a lot to be nominated, especially as it’s one that is voted on by shop customers across the UK.

"I actually got a little choked up reading some of the lovely comments our customers had left in praise of the shop. It’s rewarding to see all that hard work recognised.

“I like to think we’ve created a very nice, relaxed atmosphere in the shop, with lovely volunteers who do the best they can. That’s reflected in how we get lots of repeat customers who always seem to find something different in here.

“We want to offer all we can both for customers and for people making donations. We pride ourselves on being a great place to rehome something that you don’t use anymore. When someone donates something, they want to know it will be front and centre where someone new could find it rather than going to waste.”

Welshpool’s Sue Ryder shop is one of only eight branches in the whole of Wales, making the team especially excited to be recognised as one of the six best in the country.

After receiving nearly 6,5000 nominations for charity shops across the UK, a shortlist of six shops per region is now available to vote on, with Sue Ryder and Severn Hospice, both on Welshpool High Street, being included in the final six for Wales.

Customers can vote for each shop before the deadline on September 23 here.