THE LATEST casualty in Cumbrian town centres is a recycling furniture service which was struggling even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Impact Housing has revealed that its bases in Workington, Carlisle and Barrow are set to close, the association has begun the consultation process with its colleagues.

Through Impact Furniture Services, the housing provider collects unwanted furniture and white goods from customers properties free of charge.

The items are then sold to the public at outlets in Carlisle, Workington and Barrow. However, during the pandemic all operations had to stop in order to comply with the government’s lockdown measures.

Impact Housing has found that running costs have become greater than the sales generated, a financial review in 2020 found that the service was running at a considerable loss.

The effect of Covid-19 has further added to the losses that the organisation, has had to cover.

Andrea Thorn, Managing Director at Impact Housing, said: “The service has benefited many local people over the years with affordable pre-owned goods as well as providing volunteering opportunities, training and jobs for local people while reducing the amount of goods sent to landfill. It has been a heart-breaking decision, and we have only taken it having thoroughly explored every possible option to see how we could make the service financially viable.

"While the decision has not been made because of the pandemic, significantly greater losses have been recorded this year with the shops being closed.

“We understand this is a difficult time for colleagues affected by the change, and we are in discussions with them and supporting them through the process.”