The St Elizabeth hospice charity is opening a brand new Ipswich retail centre, with the aim of increasing the money raised to support its services to cancer patients in the town.

The hospice cares for people with progressive ilnesses in East Suffolk and South Norfolk and already has 26 shops which contribute to fundraising.

This new centre will be its biggest trading unit, in Holywells Retail Centre, Ipswich, and not far from Ipswich Waterfront.

The charity needs to raise £9.1 million every year to support its services.

It comprises a warehouse where donated items can be dropped off in addition to a trading area.

Donations can be made from January 20 between 9am to 5pm, and parking is available on site.

The hospice is appealing for around 40 volunteers to help at the centre within customer service, stock control, or driving the charity’s delivery van.

Sue Goodchild, the hospice’s head of retail, said: “St Elizabeth Hospice’s first retail centre provides a great opportunity to generate more income for the hospice and we hope local people will support it by donating a range of items, coming to buy goods or volunteering to help out.”

Fenn Wright commercial surveyor Mark Drummond said: “St Elizabeth Hospice does a fantastic job and the opening of their new retail centre in Holywells Road will help generate vital income which is required to grow and support local hospice care for local people.

‘’Looking at the broader commercial property picture, we are seeing encouraging signs that there is an increase in business confidence. More and more businesses are now actively looking for larger or additional commercial premises - a trend which should continue in 2014,” he added.

With Units 4/5 now let, there is just one unit available at Holywells Retail Centre.

The premises, units 4/5 Holywells Retail Centre, will be open to the public during February.