A CHARITY which helps the homeless has opened a new shop specialising in restored furniture.

Emmaus Gloucestershire in Market Street, Nailsworth sells furniture which has been ‘upcycled’ and presented in various styles including the popular shabby chic trend.

Customers also have the opportunity to bring in an old piece of furniture to be restored or adapted to suit a particular taste or design trend.

The shop’s profits will in turn provide a home and support for up to 33 formerly homeless people while offering them meaningful work serving customers, displaying goods and making deliveries.

Volunteers will run the social enterprise, offering homeless people opportunities to gain work experience and improve confidence which will help people to rebuild their lives.

The new shop is next to the existing Emmaus shop in Market Street, Nailsworth.

Volunteers will run the social enterprise, offering homeless people opportunities to gain work experience and improve confidence which will help people to rebuild their lives.

22 years ago, former school teacher Beth Boxall, now volunteer and one of the original fundraisers for Emmaus Gloucestershire, worked tirelessly to raise enough money to purchase the community house in Barnwood in Gloucester which now houses 33 people.

“I’m totally committed to Emmaus. I’ve been here a long time and the companions are like family to me,” she said.

“I don’t see people with problems, I just see people working and trying to create a comfortable living environment every day. “It’s a huge part of my life, I take it to bed with me and I get up with it."

Judith Wheeler shop manager for both Nailsworth stores added: “Customers will be able to buy well-known brands such as Ercol and G-Plan upcycled or restored back to their former glory.

“We can also bring personal pieces of furniture back to life and get them looking as good as new.”

The new Nailsworth furniture shop will be open from Monday to Saturday, 10am till 5.00pm. Emmaus also has a charity shop selling furniture and household goods on London Road

For more information see www.emmaus.org.uk/gloucestershire or call 07919 407433.