THE future looks bright for a Winchester charity thanks to a city-centre business and the Hampshire Chronicle.

Winchester Combined Charities’ Christmas card shop feared the worst after it lost its stockrooms in Beaconsfield House, Andover Road, as the building is set to be developed.

The charity works out of the Guildhall in November and December but needs space to store its seven large wooden stands for the rest of the year.

But funeral directors Richard Steel and Partners stepped in to save the day, offering free storage at its Chesil Street base after reading about the charity’s plight in the Chronicle.

Pam Chrismas, charity coordinator, said: “This is absolutely wonderful. As a result of reading the article in the Chronicle, Steels came into our shop and offered us space. We are so grateful to the Chronicle for the help.

“It’s great for us as there’s plenty of room and it’s dry and means we don’t have to go through the hassle of transporting our stands.”

Iain Steel, director, said: “We saw it in the paper and we have space in our Chesil Street premises and were happy to help out. The storeroom is safe and secure and only a short distance away from where they sell the cards so the charity doesn’t have to worry.”

But the charity is still looking for space to store and sort thousands of Christmas cards next November.