A charity that raises funds to help people suffering from a rare skin condition is setting up a new shop in Trowbridge.

The butterfly skin charity Debra UK plans to open a new store at a 1,451 square feet retail unit at The Shires shopping centre.

The Debra UK shop, which can be accessed next to the Castle Street entrance, will sell a range of furniture, clothing, books, homewares and electrical items.

The charity already has local shops in Calne and in Swindon as well as Nailsea near Bristol.

Wiltshire Times: Debra UK charity plans to occupy this empty store outside the entrance to The Shires in Castle Street, Trowbridge. Image Trevor Porter 76949-3Debra UK charity plans to occupy this empty store outside the entrance to The Shires in Castle Street, Trowbridge. Image Trevor Porter 76949-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Debra UK is the largest UK funder of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) research. It was established in 1978 by Phyllis Hilton, whose daughter Debra had EB.

It says on its website: “We have invested over £20 million and have been responsible, through funding pioneering research and working internationally, for establishing much of what is now known about EB.

“We have a vision of a world where no one suffers from the painful skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa. Our research strategy focuses on what matters to people living with EB.

Debra UK now employs over 370 staff and 1,000+ volunteers who support the charity across a network of 90-plus charity shops in England and Scotland.