Age UK West Cumbria has reopened its Finkle Street charity shop in Workington after a thorough modernisation.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by regular day centre activities service user, 99 year-old Maud Kirkbride, who was selected to do the honours as a spokesman for the charity said: “She is a much loved member of the charity’s day activities service, and attends their day centre in Workington three times a week.” She was presented with a bunch of flowers by the shop’s staff to say thank you for being involved.

The day service caters specifically for older people whose health and mobility issues make it difficult to leave their home. Members engage in varied fun activities and have the option of a two course home-cooked meal.

The charity shop closed for day-to-day business, except for customers to collect items of furniture, in September 2018 and reopened again on January 21, after a total refurbishment.

Modernisation includes fitting gas to the property for a new heating system, wifi and a new partition wall to separate furniture for sale from other charity items.

The newly reopened store will stock both new and donated items and will include furniture, bric-a-brac and refurbished white goods such as washers, dryers and fridge freezers, which all come with a six month guarantee.

There is also a new eco friendly range made from recycled, sustainable materials to reduce plastic. This will include shopping bags, candles made of soya wax - which do not put toxins into the air and bamboo items.

Age UK West Cumbria say they encourage everyone to visit the shop, regardless of age.

Every purchase helps to support their services in Allerdale and Copeland and the shop will also accept donations of high quality used goods.