A new charity shop in Swindon has welcomed in customers with a special 'grand opening' event.

Prospect Hospice's Book and Media shop at 138 Victoria Road opened earlier than planned on Monday, November 18, but announced an event to bring the community in to take a look around the new space on Saturday, November 30.

It was officially declared as open when staff cut the ribbon, before customers who had been waiting outside were able to take a look around at the professionally refitted shop, which has bookcases, record players and armchairs.

The specialist charity shop was previously located on Commercial Road in Swindon town centre, but the site closed on November 2 and relocated just weeks later, leaving the town centre unit vacant.

Shop manager, Lyndsey Workman, said: “There is a lot of demand for books and records in the town and we get a lot donated, from some very good donors.”

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She suggested the reason the shop had proved popular may be due to the lack of book and record shops in Swindon.

The grand opening included children's authors reading from their books from 11:30am to 3pm and DJ sets from 4:30pm to 8pm, with beer supplied by the Hop Kettle Brewery up the road.

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