A local not-for-profit company and their volunteers are aiming to bring an empty shop space back to life and help rejuvenate the high street, as they launch their affordable Furniture Scheme and cafe on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland.
“More Time” will be moving in to the old In-Shops unit at the end of October, providing affordable furniture to the community.
The new business will also aim to achieve community involvement through upcycling seminars and workshops, giving people the chance to save money by updating furniture at low cost and learning new skills.
More Time is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of DISC, whose main objective is to create employment pathways for people who may struggle to access mainstream employment.
They offer a range of services, from commercial and new-build cleans, to facilities management and empty homes projects. It also oversees the DISC Furniture Scheme in Newton Aycliffe as well as the More Time cafe and catering services.
Business Manager, Julie Nisbet, said, “Bringing our furniture scheme to Bishop Auckland is the perfect opportunity for us to support the community, and help people think about upcycling furniture rather than struggle to purchase new items. We’re currently appealing for donations of furniture, and hope that people in the area can help us to get the project off the ground.”
If you would like to donate good quality, saleable furniture to the project, More Time will collect for free.
To arrange collection of items, or to request a volunteering application form, contact Pat Smith (Furniture Coordinator) on 01325 731294 or email furniture@disc-vol.org.uk.
More information can be found on their website, at www.moretimeonline.com/furniture-scheme.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
