Published: 28 November 2023

Customers of the Wales Air Ambulance’s Tywyn charity shop say they are “delighted” with its new look.

Wales Air Ambulance has recently reopened its doors to its Tywyn charity shop following a rebranding and refit.

The popular shop, which is on the High Street, has been open since 2005 but this is the first time that the store has undergone a complete refit. Over a three-week period, Charity staff and shop volunteers helped to create a new and modern space for its customers.

The changes include new oak flooring, new panelling, gondolas, a new till point and shelves. A beautiful Welsh dresser is now being used to display homeware items.

Window displays provide passers-by with a visual snapshot of what a shop has to offer. The refit has provided the team with the chance to expand their window area, which will enable staff to create themed window displays and showcase a wider range of items.

The updating and rebranding of the Charity’s existing shops is part of the Wales Air Ambulance’s retail blueprint. The Tywyn shop transformation was led by Retail Operations Manager Julie Cornelius.

Abigail Severn, Wales Air Ambulance Tywyn Shop Manager, said: “The shop now looks bright, bigger, modern and welcoming. Since opening the doors we’ve have had nothing but compliments from our customers, praising the layout, our stock and stating that the shop looks bigger.

“My volunteers feel like they are donating their time to a modern and “upmarket” clothes shop, especially as they have also received their brand-new uniforms.

“The rebrand has been very important to myself, my volunteers and our Charity. The shop was beginning to look tired and whilst this didn't seem to bother our customers too much, we want the shop to represent our innovative organisation.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to significantly improve the chances of survival and early recovery.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

The Service is often described as a ‘flying emergency department’, however, it can also deliver the same standard of care by road via its fleet of rapid response vehicles.

Abigail added: “Everyone is absolutely loving the refit. It’s a pleasure for volunteers, staff and myself to work in such wonderful surroundings and we take such pride in doing so. We’d like to thank everyone, especially Julie, for their hard work.”

This 24/7 service is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles. 

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.