Home improvements took on a new dimension this year for the Hastings Furniture Service. The service moved out last November and took everything, lock, stock, chair, table and barrel to temporary premises. A huge job. The service remained open throughout and moved back into Dorset Place in September, but what a difference!
Within 10 months, a modern, light and dry store for all the furniture was created. The showroom space was doubled. Access was made for people with limited mobility and workshops and training rooms were built.
The service is a charity and not-for-profit social enterprise. It involves dozens of people as volunteers each year and has been operating since the early 1980s. It provides good quality second hand furniture and properly tested second hand electrical goods, free collection of quality furniture and very reasonable house clearances.
People on low incomes get a 30% reduction.
Hastings Regeneration Partnership was pleased to contribute £160,000 of the £520,000 needed for the rebuild.
The manager said:
"The word about the service is still spreading. We helped 1,520 households last year and 67% of our running costs were generated from our own income. We are incredibly pleased with our new home and all sorts of people come to look around and buy things. We are open from 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 3pm on Saturday. Come and see."
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This page last updated: 07/02/2007