Wetherby Martin House Hits £2m Retail Milestone; 2026

Key Points

• Martin House Children’s Hospice generated £2 million in retail sales from May 2025 to March 2026.
• Revenue came from 13 charity shops, Thorp Arch warehouse, and online platforms including Vinted and eBay.
• Online sales now account for nearly 10% of total retail income, up from 6% two years ago.
• The hospice invested in a dedicated online team three years ago to grow its digital retail offering.
• High street shops remain the primary source of income.
• Nearly 300 regular volunteers support the retail operations.
• Retail income helps fund the hospice’s £12 million annual care costs for over 500 children and young people.
• Challenges include fast fashion donations and rising costs like rent and energy.

Wetherby (The Leeds Times) April 30, 2026 – Martin House Children’s Hospice has reached a major milestone in its retail operations by generating £2 million in sales over the past year.

The figure covers the period from May 2025 to March 2026 and includes revenue from the hospice’s 13 charity shops across Yorkshire, its Thorp Arch warehouse and showroom, and online platforms such as Vinted and eBay.

What Is the £2 Million Retail Milestone for Martin House?

This achievement marks one of the hospice’s most successful years in retail. As reported by staff writers at Your Harrogate, the milestone reflects growth in both physical and digital sales channels.

The hospice, based in Boston Spa near Wetherby, cares for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North, and East Yorkshire. Its retail efforts provide free-of-charge, 24/7 specialist care funded in part by these sales.

How Did Martin House Achieve This Retail Success?

High street shops form the heart of the operation, generating the majority of income despite the rise in online sales.

The Thorp Arch Furniture Warehouse and Showroom in Wetherby, located at Unit 657A, Thorp Arch Estate, LS23 7FJ, contributes significantly, offering furniture and larger items with collection services and Gift Aid options.

Online growth stems from investment in a dedicated team three years ago. Platforms like Vinted and eBay now represent nearly 10% of total retail income, an increase from 6% two years prior.

Martin House Online actively lists clothing and other items, as noted on their Instagram account @martinhouse_online.

Recent shop refurbishments, improved systems, and a focus on high-quality items at value prices have boosted customer appeal.

Shops are located in areas including Acomb, Garforth, Beverley, Harrogate, and Knaresborough, with varying opening times such as 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday at some sites.

What Role Do Volunteers Play in Martin House’s Retail Operations?

Nearly 300 regular volunteers are essential to the retail success. Roles include Shop and Stock Assistants, Warehouse Sorters, eBay Treasure Hunters, Retail Drivers, and Furniture Showroom Assistants.

As Stephanie Rimmington, Head of Retail at Martin House, stated in the Your Harrogate report:

“Our volunteers are absolutely essential: from serving customers to sorting donations, they make everything we do possible. We simply couldn’t have reached this milestone without them.”

Volunteers help keep shops running and support community ties.

What Challenges Does Martin House Face in Retail?

The charity sector encounters pressures from fast fashion, which results in unsuitable donations for resale. Rising costs such as rent and energy also impact operations.

Stephanie Rimmington noted:

“The rise of fast fashion means many donated items are not always suitable for resale, and rising costs like rent and energy are a real pressure for charity retailers. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we focus on quality and create welcoming, vibrant shops that people want to visit.”

Martin House addresses these by prioritising quality stock and community-focused shops.

How Does Retail Income Support Martin House’s Mission?

Retail funds contribute to the hospice’s £12 million annual running costs. This supports care for more than 500 children and young people with serious and complex health needs, provided free to families 365 days a year.

The hospice’s broader efforts include recent milestones like reaching a separate £2 million public appeal for THE BUILD, a £21.9 million refurbishment project completed earlier in 2026. Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive, said in a press release on the hospice website:

“We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve hit our £2 million public appeal target. This money has helped to ensure we could complete this ambitious plan to transform Martin House into the hospice children and their families deserve.”

Retail growth aligns with these developments, sustaining services amid medical advancements requiring updated facilities.

What Did Key Figures Say About the Milestone?

Stephanie Rimmington commented:

“The last year has been one of our most successful to date. We’ve invested in new shop refurbishments, improved our systems, and made sure we offer the best possible experience for our customers. We focus on high-quality items at great value, and making sure there’s always something new to discover.”

She added:

“Online sales are an exciting area of growth for us, but our shops are still incredibly important. They’re part of the local community, and we’re really proud of that.”

Rimmington also thanked supporters:

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported Martin House, whether by donating items, shopping in our stores, or buying online. Every purchase helps us be there for families when they need us most.”

What Are Martin House’s Future Retail Plans?

The hospice plans to use data and insights for continued growth. This includes further digital expansion while maintaining high street presence.

Volunteering opportunities remain open via www.martinhouse.org.uk/volunteer. Shop details and online stores are accessible through the main site.

Other recognitions include the Knaresborough shop’s shortlisting for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards in the Yorkshire category.

Background of the Retail Development

Martin House Children’s Hospice, established nearly 40 years ago in Boston Spa, has built its retail arm to support palliative care services.

The 13 shops and Thorp Arch warehouse evolved alongside community fundraising, with digital investment starting three years ago to tap into e-commerce. This milestone follows infrastructure upgrades via THE BUILD project, funded separately but highlighting the hospice’s diversified income strategy amid £12 million yearly costs. Growth in online sales from 6% to 10% reflects broader charity retail trends adapting to consumer shifts.

Prediction for Families and Supporters

This development can enable Martin House to sustain free specialist care for over 500 children annually without increasing reliance on donations alone. Retail income growth may fund ongoing facility maintenance post-THE BUILD, ensuring facilities match complex care needs. For local shoppers and volunteers in Yorkshire, it reinforces community shops as stable hubs, potentially encouraging more donations and visits amid economic pressures on charities. Online expansion could broaden reach to national audiences, stabilising funds for 24/7 services. Supporters may see continued calls for quality items, aiding resale efficiency.