St Blazey Recycle Reuse Resale, who have not yet had their doors open for a year have made it to the final three for Best New Businesses in Cornwall in the Cornwall Business Awards.
The Not for Profit Community Interest Company (CIC), who collect good furniture and household goods from four of the local HWRCs (dumps) and sell them cheaply to families on low incomes and the wider public put their success down to great volunteers and the supportive public.
As well as saving some 100 tons of household items from landfill or incineration, they have furnished many houses of families in crisis and equipped flats for homeless leaving institutional living, for free.
Within the first few months of opening their shop in Middleway, St Blazey, it became apparent that this initiative was much needed. its subsequent growth has been phenomenal.
Commenting, Director and local Cornwall Councillor Pauline Giles said
“It’s a beast! We outgrew our first shop so quickly, we weren’t able to stock large furniture and white goods, which families needed. Last month we moved into a warehouse on Latham Park, behind our old shop, its huge, we have an emporium! Everyone is really excited about the expansion and what comes next.”
In August a commercial kitchen and community café will be unveiled, and in September Pauline will start running cookery courses for the unemployed and young parents, to NVQ level, to assist them into work.
Shop Manager and cheeky chappy, David Taylor was the one who encouraged Pauline to set up the CIC. Their hilarious Facetime videos are a big hit, often getting thousands of views, with their bickering over pricing and Dave’s witty banter. Follow them on Facebook and see for yourself.
The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10-3pm, everyone is welcome, and can donate good items at both the HWRC and the shop.
If you would like to vote for St Blazey Recycle Reuse Resale CIC, click on the link below, and scroll down until you find their name and hit the vote button.
https://www.cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk/business-of-the-year-2019/
