A HOMELESSNESS charity has announced it will open a new second-hand shop in Gloucestershire.
Emmaus Gloucestershire is set to return to Cheltenham with a store in the former NatWest building in Bath Road.
Similar to other Emmaus stores, the Cheltenham shop will sell furniture, household goods and electrical appliances, as well as clothing, books, bric-a-brac and more.
Emmaus will also focus on stocking upcycled furniture, exclusive to its Cheltenham location.
The new shop will open later this year and will be located at 147-151 Bath Road.
The opening date is to be confirmed.
Emmaus Gloucestershire provides accommodation, work opportunities, tailored support and funded training to people who have experienced homelessness, poverty and social exclusion.
Its work is currently funded by collecting and selling donated items in four shops – a superstore in Gloucester, two shops in Nailsworth and one in Stroud – alongside an eBay store.
Individuals supported by Emmaus, known as ‘companions’, help to run the shops to gain work experience and new skills.
The store marks Emmaus Gloucestershire’s return to Cheltenham after its shop in Henrietta Street closed in 2021.
“We are delighted to be bringing Emmaus Gloucestershire back to Cheltenham after three years, and we are looking forward to welcoming old and new customers alike,” said Malcolm Pitt, business manager at Emmaus Gloucestershire.
“Expanding to open our fifth shop means that we can generate more income for our homelessness charity, provide our companions with more work opportunities and offer a fantastic range of high-quality second-hand items at affordable prices for Cheltenham residents.”
An example of a person being supported by Emmaus Gloucestershire is Sara, who helps to run the eBay store (which is based out of the charity’s Gloucester site).
Once Emmaus opens in Cheltenham, Sara will instead be working from the new shop.
“Emmaus Gloucestershire has been a real lifesaver,” she said.
“It provides me with secure and safe accommodation and meaningful work.
“In the last two years working in the ecommerce department, I have acquired new transferable skills, been given new responsibilities and have always been treated with respect and kindness.
“I’m looking forward to moving to the Cheltenham shop, meeting new people and continuing to help our charity to be able to support other individuals who have found themselves in a similar position to myself.”
Emmaus is currently refurbishing the Cheltenham premises and is calling for furniture donations to collect stock ahead of its official opening.
For large furniture donations, it offers free collection, accessible via its website.
Smaller items can be saved until the shop is open or dropped off at any Emmaus store in Gloucester, Nailsworth or Stroud.
The charity is also accepting volunteer applications from anyone interested in helping to sort donated items, provide customer service, work on the till or join the van crew as a volunteer driver or driver’s mate.
Volunteer roles are flexible, ranging from four hours per week to full time.
Those wishing to keep up to date with Emmaus Gloucestershire’s new Cheltenham shop can follow the charity on Facebook or Instagram.
For more information about Emmaus Gloucestershire, visit emmaus.org.uk/gloucestershire
To register your interest in volunteering at the store, contact joanna@emmausglos.org.uk