Highland Hospice’s charity shop on Queensgate in Inverness is about to undergo an essential major refurbishment operation, enabled by the generosity of two local firms - Compass Building and Construction Services and Leslie Hutt Architects.
Each company has pledged their support to the Hospice by offering their services at a considerably reduced fee level, with several Compass employees also donating their time and man power.
Preparations for the refurbishment, which is expected to take from six to eight weeks, are already under way. During this time, a temporary Highland Hospice shop is in operation on Union Street in the former Jessops store.
Highland Hospice’s Director of Fundraising, Retail & Communications, Andrew Leaver, said,
“We wish to express a heartfelt thank you in particular to Compass Building and Construction Services and their individual staff members who have been so generous in supporting us both financially and by donating their time. They really have come to the rescue of our shop, which has been in need of major work for some time. Grateful thanks also to Leslie Hutt Architects who have kindly helped with our plans.”
He explained, “Our building has not been refurbished since we opened on Queensgate in 1996, and continuous water ingress in recent years has resulted in a lot of damage being caused. This work will make a considerable difference to our charity shop, the income of which is vital in helping us care for our patients and their families at a difficult time.”
“It is our hope that our new look store will help us to attract many more customers for years to come.”
Donald Mackenzie, Managing Director of Compass Building and Construction Services added,
“The staff at Compass Builders are extremely aware of the tremendous specialist support which Highland Hospice provides to patients and their families and friends. No one can ever underestimate the importance of donations and volunteer work required to maintain the continuity of this most essential service.”
“We are therefore delighted and privileged to be contributing, in various ways, towards the refurbishment of the Queensgate shop.”
