A new charitable business is to open in Highbridge next month, selling second-hand furniture to residents on low incomes while raising money for the community at the same time.
A group of volunteers, led by Highbridge Residents Association’s Tina Gray and Kim Chatwin, pictured, is leasing the former newsagent’s shop in Morland Road to launch Highbridge Furniture Limited.
The store will open in October and will cater exclusively for people on low incomes of under £20,000.
Tina told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There are many local people who do not earn enough to afford new furniture which is where this shop will help. We will fully open in October and we are already welcoming donations.”
She added: “Fifty per cent of all profits that the shop generates will be put back into the community.”
Highbridge County Councillor John Woodman, who is supporting the enterprise, has been helping the group by offering advice. “A visit was arranged to a similar operation, Furniture Care in Yeovil, to see how they have been running their business for over 20 years and lots of useful advice was brought back,” he said.
The new shop will be run as a Community Interest Company and the group may seek charitable status in the future. Volunteers who are interested in helping the operation are being urged to drop in at the shop, which will be open from Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm, each week.
Pictured: Highbridge Residents Association members Tina Gray and Kim Chatwin with Highbridge County Councillor John Woodman outside the shop
