The economic downturn is proving a boon for one Oxford charity, which is about to open its 11th secondhand shop in a year.

Helen and Douglas House hospices will open its 20th outlet in Windmill Road, Headington, next week.

The 2,000sq ft store — double the size of most charity shops — will have a unique focus on secondhand furniture, as the charity continues to prosper thanks to shoppers tightening their belts.

The charity, which was founded by Sister Frances Dominica, has been offering respite care for children and young adults at the hospice in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, since 1982.

The charity’s retail manager David Cryer said: “This is our 20th store. This time last year we had nine, so we’ve been very busy in the past 12 months.

“We’ve also got three more opening soon — in Wallingford, Carterton and Stow-on-the-Wold.”

Mr Cryer said he believed charity shops could prosper in a recession. He said: “We think we’re really well placed.

“With the credit crunch, many people are trading down and some people who have never shopped in a charity store are starting to do so.

“Our shops are comfortable and upmarket, and they’re perhaps attracting people who wouldn’t normally visit a traditional thrift store.

“That’s being borne out in what we are seeing in our own shops and in other charity shops we know. We’ve had a good Christmas, and there aren’t many people in the retail sector who can say that.”

The new Helen and Douglas House shop will join a long list of charity outlets in the area.

Mr Cryer said: “Headington already has a great range of charity shops and other retailers.

“I think the unique thing about our shop is its range of secondhand furniture, which is new to the charity sector”

Half the shop will be given over to furniture, with clothes, books and electrical goods in the rest.

It will be opened by Sister Frances on Tuesday at 2pm.

She said: “We very much hope that the new shop will not only raise funds to run the two houses, but will also help to spread the word in our region that Helen House, for children, and Douglas House, for young adults, are warm, bright, vibrant places, which support the whole family.”

Anyone interested in volunteer work at the shop should call on 01865 779242. To donate goods, call 01235 768401.

One sack of good-quality clothing can raise £40, covering cost of a home visit by the charity’s bereavement team to a family whose child has died.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk