Scrap of good news in store (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Scrap of good news in store

Scrapstore's project manager Olivia McCann in the refurbished Scrapstore shop Ref: 99233-2A SWINDON charity that faced an uncertain future after its council grant was cut has been given a new lease of life.

The Swindon Scrapstore, an environmental charity which recycles materials for use in the community, had to appeal for help earlier this year after its grant from Swindon Council was cut.

It left the charity with a £30,000 shortfall and an uncertain future.

But the Tudor Trust has given the charity a £15,000 grant that means it can now pay its rent and survive.

The charity also received a £500 grant from the Old Town Rotary Club.

The charity decided to use the money to give their arts and crafts shop a facelift.

And, with help from The Early Learning Centre, the store's transformation took place this weekend.

"It looks fantastic," said project manager Olivia McCann.

"All the shelving and fittings match. It looks absolutely brilliant.

"I am just so pleased with it all.

"Obviously there is still a £15,000 shortfall, even with the generosity of the Tudor Trust and local donations, so we hope to make our self-sustainable by having a wider range of products in the shop, and allowing everyone to come in and buy things," she said.

"It's not just schools, playgroups and members that can use us. Mums and dads can come in and buy bits too." While things appear to be looking up for the charity, Miss McCann is angry that Swindon Council did nothing to help them.

"We felt pressured to get out.

"I told them that we just needed time to get the money but they told us that it would impact on everyone else in the centre which it doesn't.

"It was like they were trying to get the other groups on their side, but thankfully that didn't happen."

Coun Andrew Bennett (Con Ridgeway) said: "The problem Swindon Council faced is that Pinehurst People Centre is run for equal profit, meaning it doesn't make money, but simply covers costs.

"To cover the money not received from Scrapstore the cost would have to be shared across the other groups and so would disadvantage them.

"In the last two years we have given Scrapstore grants of £18,000 and £22,000 as they were given high priority.

"This year they did not receive as much because other groups were helping more people and so were given higher priority."

Anyone over the age of 14 is welcome in the Scrapstore shop when it opens tomorrow .

Non-members pay an extra 10 per cent on to of the shelf price.

The charity is always looking for volunteers and committee members. Anyone who can help in any way should contact Olivia on 01793 513982 or email swss@scrapstore.co.uk.

Stephanie Tye