DJ Fatboy Slim reopens hospice charity shop

Stuart Maisner
BBC News, South East
George Carden
BBC News, Brighton
George Carden/BBC Norman Cook (centre) cuts the ribbon outside the refurbished Martlets hospice shop in London Road in Brighton George Carden/BBC
DJ Fatboy Slim (centre) cut the ribbon to open the refurbished charity shop

A hospice charity shop has been refurbished and relaunched to mark its 10th anniversary.

The Martlets hospice store on London Road in Brighton has raised more than £1m to fund care across the city and has sold more than 230,000 items.

One of the charity's ambassadors, Fatboy Slim, cut the ribbon at the reopening on Thursday morning.

The DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, said the store had had a "proper, proper facelift" and he was "enjoying doing some shopping".

He said: "Coming up to 10 years ago I lost my father-in-law Rick who spent his last days in the hospice.

"We were just so touched by the care for him and for the family."

Martlets, which has been running since 1997, cares for more than 3,000 people living with a terminal diagnosis each year, both at the hospice and in their own homes.

Its Wayfield Avenue headquarters in Hove reopened in June 2024 after a £10m refurbishment.

The new facilities include two inpatient wards with 14 ensuite rooms and access to outdoor terraces, as well as landscaped sensory and memory gardens for patients and family.

George Carden/BBC Fatboy Slim sitting on the counter of the London Road Martlets hospice charity shop holding a poster of his artworkGeorge Carden/BBC
The London Road branch is one of nine Martlets hospice shops across Brighton and Hove

Martlets has nine shops across the city.

Rachel Paisley, director of retail, said: "We are totally dependent on the donations from our incredible supporters.

"We can turn that into much needed income for the hospice so we can continue providing care to people in our local community."

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