Rainbows shop is coming home

We haven’t had a presence in Loughborough town centre for 15 years but in July, we are set to open a flagship store in Cattle Market.

Karen Bilsby, Head of Retail at Rainbows, said: “We are very excited to be returning to our home town of Loughborough and we want this to be our flagship store. Over the past four years, we have opened five shops and have focussed on increasing our presence in areas where the Rainbows name wasn’t so well known. It is now the right time to come home.

“The Loughborough community is overwhelmingly supportive of Rainbows and we know that people will be as excited as we are for our presence in the town. We are planning to open our doors in July, so watch this space for the official announcement of the grand opening.”

We currently care for 362 children and young people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses. We also support 339 bereaved families and 671 siblings. All money raised at the Loughborough shop will enable us to keep making a difference. Award-winning design company officeTwelve donated its time to us for free and has created a bespoke interior for the Loughborough shop.

Maximising a tight budget, the Desford-based company has incorporated recycled materials into the project generating a unique look and feel. Aspects of the design include reclaimed doors and old wooden chairs reimagined in unusual ways to create eye-catching displays and quirky changing rooms. A designated children’s area will makes the store a fun destination for youngsters while their parents shop and recycled picture frames will add the finishing touches. officeTwelve was inspired to get involved and support Rainbows after visiting the hospice.

MD Gina Mula said: ‘Visiting the hospice had a huge influence over the design team. It is an amazing place. We wanted to reflect the fun and friendly atmosphere at Rainbows while subtly reminding customers that their donations are helping children and young people with life-limiting conditions. To give our retail design skills to help Rainbows feels like a very small contribution to such a wonderful charity.”

Mrs Bilsby added: “We would like to thank everyone at officeTwelve for their support. It’s clear they share our passion for this project and their enthusiasm has really shone through.”

For more information about Rainbows’ shops, visit www.rainbows.co.uk/shops or contact 01509 638000.