Recycling rockets at thriving community shop
The Community Shop in Lochgilphead is celebrating soaraway success 18 months after its doors opened to the benefit of the town and the planet.
Not only has it saved 15 tonnes of textiles from going to landfill by sending them off to be recycled, but funds to support initiatives from the sales of pre-loved goods are also being raised - and now the addition of an extra space to socialise is spreading a fun and friendship factor even wider.
"We are nothing without people’s donations. Without our supporters we would not have been able to have made the impact we have so far," said shop manager Scott McBride, who said he would soon be looking for an assistant manager to join him.
"The 15 tonnes of textiles we saved from landfill last year from things we couldn’t sell is on top of the revenue from sales of pre-loved goods."
For now there are also 15 dedicated volunteers who take on shifts at the shop "but there’s plenty of room for more", added Mr McBride.
The Community Shop is a registered Community Interest Company with a board of directors and moved in to the former Mary Meal’s charity shop premises after it shut.
Since then it has expanded to almost double the size it was, making room for not just more selling space but also a friendship table with chairs where people are encouraged to drop in and take a seat for a chat and natter - even to bring their own flask.
"We hope at some point to be able to offer tea and coffee but for the time being people can bring their own flask if they like.
"I’d like to develop a programme where people can come in and socialise. There’s an issue with isolation for some people.
"The High Street possibly isn’t full of the hustle and bustle it once was, so it would be nice to give people an extra reason to get out of the house for a bit.
"We’d like to hear from anyone interested in leading a session, it could be a knitting session or something similar. We’d like to hear ideas.
"There could be board games, perhaps even a repair café. It’s only a small space but the room for ideas is big and could put smiles on faces," said Mr McBride.
If anyone is interested in supporting The Community Shop get in touch via its Facebook page.
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