A CHARITY shop in Tadcaster has opened its doors for the first time since the devastating 2015 Boxing Day floods.

Yorkshire Cancer Research’s shop, in Bridge Street, reopened yesterday, with Chris Twelves, professor of clinical cancer pharmacology and oncology, at the University of Leeds, cutting the ribbon.

The shop was forced to close following the Boxing Day floods, which led to the collapse of Tadcaster’s listed 18th Century bridge and the closure of several local businesses.

York Press:

When the floods happened, the shop had just started to recover following heavy rain and flash floods in August 2014, which led to a three-month closure and a severe loss of income.

The premises was re-fitted and re-decorated, but just over a year later the town was hit by the worst floods in a generation.

The shop’s floor, walls and doors were severely damaged and an extensive refurbishment was required to return the property to a satisfactory standard before it could be reopened to the public.

Sally Crerar, head of community fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen our charity shop in Tadcaster. The Boxing Day floods were a huge blow to our dedicated volunteers and the town as a whole.

“Following an extensive refurbishment, we have high hopes for the shop and we’re confident that it will return to its former glory in no time, providing vital income to ensure more people in Yorkshire survive cancer.”

Around £50,000 is raised by the shop every year through the sale of goods generously donated by the people of Tadcaster and its surrounding area.

It is one of just two shops run by Yorkshire Cancer Research, which aims to improve cancer outcomes in Yorkshire by raising awareness of cancer and how to prevent it, promoting screening programmes and funding innovative research, from diagnosis to end-of-life care.

The shop has reopened with a newly appointed manager, Linda Park, who will work with long-standing volunteers to get things back up and running.

Linda said: “Having worked in large retail organisations over a number of years, I felt the time was right to help a charitable organisation. As I’m Yorkshire-born, Yorkshire Cancer Research seemed the obvious choice.

“I am very excited to be taking on the role of the new shop manager.”

The Tadcaster shop first began trading in 1971 thanks to local butcher, Les Emmott, who used to sell small items from a table in the corner of his shop and donate the proceeds to charity.

Between 1971 and 1998 more than half a million pounds was raised.

Since 1998 the overall total raised is £1,363,862.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating good quality clean clothes, children’s toys and bric-a-brac, visit Linda at the shop.