The store, located on Majors Road, is the charity’s 18th shop and marks its first physical presence in the Watchfield community.
Swindon Town goalkeeper Lewis Ward officially opened the shop alongside Watchfield resident Debbie Robson, a team leader for the Prospect@Home community palliative care service.
It is the hospice’s first new charity shop in two years and will help generate funds for its services across Swindon and the surrounding area.
Stuart Necrews, Head of Commercial Income at Prospect Hospice, said:
“We’re delighted to officially open our new shop in Watchfield and to be able to put down roots in this wonderful community.
“We’ve been caring for people across the area for many years, so having a physical presence here gives us another way to become part of and connect with the Watchfield community.
“So, it feels particularly special to now have a shop where people can come together to shop, donate, volunteer and support local hospice care.”
Prospect Hospice says its retail operation has continued to perform strongly despite difficult conditions affecting charity retailers nationally.
The organisation credits people donating good-quality items and customers shopping at its stores for their continued success.
Mr Necrews said:
“We’ve been thrilled by the response from the community so far, with someone even saying this was ‘the best charity shop ever!’
“We’re hopeful that the Watchfield shop will become one of our strongest-performing stores and play an important role in helping us achieve our ambition of raising £1 million a year for the hospice.”
The new store was supported by a £30,000 donation from Swindon-based Imagine Cruising in 2025 towards the development of a new Prospect Hospice retail shop.
Mr Necrews said the contribution had been “instrumental” in making the store possible.
Sarah Seddon, Legal and Compliance Director at Imagine Cruising, said: “Prospect Hospice holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Imagine Cruising, and we’re really excited to see this next chapter in its fundraising journey.
“The new Watchfield store, their 18th, will be a fantastic addition to Prospect Hospice’s portfolio of shops, providing another opportunity for the local community to shop, donate and get involved.”
The opening also continues Swindon Town’s relationship with Prospect Hospice, after the organisation was the football club’s local charity partner last year.
Lewis Ward said:
“It’s wonderful to keep building on our relationship with the charity after supporting them as our local club charity partner last year.
“The men’s walk was a huge success, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact of the funds raised. Seeing firsthand how that support is benefiting people and making a difference makes it all the more worthwhile.”
Prospect Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care and support across Swindon, north-east Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire.
Its services are free to patients, with around 84 per cent of the more than £10 million needed to operate each year raised by the community.
The Watchfield shop sells donated clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as books, toys and homeware.
It is located at 4 Majors Road, Watchfield, Swindon, SN6 8TQ, and opens seven days a week.
