THE charity running a hospice that takes in patients from Malvern is planning to open a new retail warehouse in the town as part of its fundraising drive.

St Michael's Hospice, based at Bartestree near Hereford, has just been given planning permission to change the use of premises in Spring Lane from light industrial, to retail and storage.

And the charity hopes that the outlet will be open for business in the next two or three months.

Nicola Wood, the head of retail and trading at St Michael's Hospice, said: "Now that we've got permission from Malvern Hills District Council, we'll be talking about leases with the landlord and lawyers.

"Then there's some work to be done to the premises, but I hope we'll be open for business by the end of the financial year."

She said that St Michael's Hospice, while it is in Herefordshire, has strong connections with Malvern.

She said: "For 17 years we've run a successful shop in Church Street, which has helped raise money to fund our operations.

"The shop is great for selling bric-a-brac, clothes, books and so on, but the premises are pretty small and the warehouse will allow us to sell larger items such as furniture."

But she emphasised that the shop will remain open.