Flood-hit charity opens new-look shop in Lancaster

A charity shop which helps support vulnerable children has re-opened '“ more than six months after it was forced to close by flooding.

The Children’s Society’s shop on Damside Street in Lancaster was among a number of city centre buildings affected by flooding during Storm Desmond in early December.

Flood waters entered the shop while it was closed and rose to around two and a half feet high, ruining thousands of pounds worth of stock.

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The Church of England kindly agreed for the charity to operate a temporary three-day-a-week ‘pop-up’ shop at Lancaster Priory Church.

But after being refurbished with new fixtures and fittings, and the charity’s bold new logo and branding, the old shop unit re-opened on Friday.

Staff, volunteers, supporters and customers gathered for the ribbon cutting by shop manager Faye Smyth.

The Children’s Society is now appealing for more donations from kind-hearted members of the public as it re-stocks its ‘new’ outlet – and anyone interested in volunteering at the shop is also urged to get in touch.

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Proceeds from the shop help to fund the national charity’s work fighting child poverty and neglect – including in Lancashire and the Lancaster district, where projects include support for children in and leaving care as well as those at risk of child sexual exploitation and of going missing from home, and targeted family support.

Faye said: “The refurbished shop looks fantastic and we are absolutely thrilled to be back. The Children’s Society’s shops play a crucial role in raising vital funds for vulnerable children and young people but we couldn’t do that without the wonderful support of people in the Lancaster district.

“We’ve received many donations over the last few weeks as people have seen work on the shop progressing, and I want to thank everyone who has supported us, including members of the public, schools and local businesses.

“I also want to say a big thank you to our fabulous volunteers who have stuck with us and to Lancaster Priory Church for allowing us to base our pop-up shop there.”

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If you can help by donating items to the shop, just pop in, or call 01524 65910.

It is looking for everything from clothes, books and toys to music, jewellery and other household goods. The shop opens 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday.