Shelter is planning to make “a significant increase” to its number of charity shops in the next few years, and will pilot a new shop format incorporating an advice centre within the retail space.

The homelessness charity opened 11 shops in the 2010/11 financial year, taking it to a total of 97. Although it could not be specific about how many it will open during its expansion phase, in the next year it estimates it will open another 17.

The plans coincide with the appointment at the start of this year of Richard Sweet as director of trading. Sweet’s CV includes 23 years at Marks and Spencer in roles including head of international business development and managing director of the company’s Chinese operations.

He told civilsociety.co.uk: “Our shops have traded successfully and profitably for a number of years and as such we are planning to expand our retail chain.  

“In particular we are not well represented in London and other key cities, which presents an opportunity for the charity.  

“Obviously the retail market is challenging at the moment so we will be proceeding with a strong degree of caution.”

Service provision

Shelter is also taking an innovative approach in a new London-based store by incorporating a housing advice office, providing advice and support on housing, debt and welfare for its service users alongside the shop's traditional retail activity.

Sweet said: “This is likely to incorporate face-to-face advice around two and a half days per week, supplemented  by access to web and telephone support.  

“We hope this new model will enable us to help more people in housing need in a very cost-efficient way.”