The Furniture Recycling Project, a charity dedicated to combating furniture poverty, is set to open a new superstore at Newport's East Retail Park on April 7. The store will offer affordable second-hand furniture and appliances, sourced from donations and tested for quality. This expansion from its Gloucester origins aims to provide essential items to those in need while promoting reuse.
The Furniture Recycling Project, founded in 1996 in Gloucester, rescues used furniture from disposal sites and refurbishes it for resale at low prices. The charity's mission is to end furniture poverty by making essential household items accessible to people who struggle to afford them. Its new superstore in Newport marks a significant expansion, bringing these services to the local community.
Located at Unit 6, 28 East Retail Park, Docks Way, Newport, NP20 2NW, the store will stock a variety of good quality, clean furniture, including white goods and household electrical items. All products are donated, with initial inventory drawn from the charity's existing stock in Gloucester. The organization plans to offer free collection of reusable furniture from the local area to build its offerings.
A spokesperson for the store explained: “All furniture and appliances are donated and while we have stocked the store from our existing stock from our Gloucester store, we will be offering free collection of good, re-useable furniture through the local area. We sell good quality, clean furniture of all kinds at affordable prices to assist with furniture poverty. We also sell white goods and household electrical items, these are all fully tested and pat tested to ensure they are fit for sale, and we offer a 3-month warranty on them. We offer a delivery service on all items and charge per delivery not per item.”
The Newport team consists of five employees recruited locally: one store manager, three sales assistants, and one driver. Volunteering opportunities are available within the store. This initiative not only supports affordability but also encourages upcycling and sustainability by giving items a new lease of life.
The opening on April 7 will provide Newport residents with an accessible option for budget-friendly home furnishings, continuing the charity's two-decade-long efforts to reduce waste and aid vulnerable households.