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Soham’s Viva to Open New Shop!

Updated: Jul 6, 2021

Local Soham charity, Viva, is fighting back following the COVID-19 lockdown. Thanks to the herculean efforts of its dedicated volunteers, Viva will be opening their new and fully refurbished shop in a bid to keep the charity alive.



Viva Arts and Community Group, Soham are delighted to open their new shop on Thursday 3rd December 2020 at 9am and are asking for as much support from the community as possible.


Peter Lawrence, Viva Shop Manager along with his team of volunteers look forward to hosting a grand re-opening to welcome back customers old and new.

Viva opened its first shop in 2006. The start of national lockdown saw the final days trading at the Viva Centre, 7 Churchgate Street in Soham. The local community organisation now looks forward to opening its doors once again at a newly refurbished premises - just across the road!


Thanks to a huge effort on behalf of Viva Volunteers, much refurbishment has taken place at 14 Churchgate Street, Soham, formerly Trade It and Special Thoughts. It is now a bright, modern, COVID-compliant community-led shop stocked with plenty of bargains and Christmas fare. The new shop even boasts a courtyard where the Charity plan to serve tea, coffee and cakes from Spring 2021 and offer a place for people to meet and socialise. The Viva Shop offers an exciting array of affordable, quality merchandise including toys and games, women’s wear, accessories, homewares, men’s wear, kid’s clothes, books, bric-a-brac and gifts all at affordable prices. In addition there is also a ‘Fancy Frock’ rail for big label enthusiasts and fashionistas!


Viva exists to provide cultural, community and heritage projects to people throughout East Cambridgeshire regardless of their age, situation, abilities or circumstances. Its heart and home is in Soham and is run by and for the community. Viva’s projects and activities are designed to improve people's quality of life, help increase creativity; build confidence; widen perspectives; combat social exclusion and loneliness; encourage a sense of community; encourage volunteering and inspire and motivate people to learn and take a more full and active role in society. By using the Viva Shop members of the local community and beyond can help save the planet by reusing and recycling- part of a more sustainable lifestyle.

Viva’s Shop Trustee, Peter Leonard, says; “2020 has been a difficult year for so many of us, but one thing we have all learnt is the importance of community. And as we begin to “unlock”, we face the future with a new awareness of how we must use the resources of our fragile world in a more sustainable way.


Viva's pre-lockdown show of 2020 was Shrek at Ely Maltings
Shrek the Musical


Our aim in creating the new Viva shop is to provide a social hub for the people of Soham, somewhere they can meet, chat over a cup of tea, and of course enjoy a bit of retail therapy.”


Opening Times and Donations

Our opening hours are as follows Monday- Saturday 9am-12.30pm 1pm-4pm Due to Coronavirus restrictions we will be happy to accept donations on Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings only. This is to safeguard our customers and volunteers and give us time to ensure all our stock is safe.

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