A NEW charity shop is set to open in Whitehaven town centre today.

Barnardo’s will open its store on King Street at 11am on Thursday in the former M&Co clothing store

It will sell a range of preloved items, including clothing and accessories, homeware, furniture, books and more.

The new shop has been welcomed by the mayor of Whitehaven, Chris Hayes.

He said: “It’s the use of an empty building that would have sat empty again for ages. It’s a good, worthwhile charity. How can it be a bad thing? A lot of the stuff is brand new.”

Edwin Dinsdale, who represents Whitehaven Central South on the town council, said: “I know that the town has got more than its fair share of charity shops but I think anything that’s open and bringing footfall and business can only be good.

“It’s better that than a shop being boarded up, not being used.”

All profits made in Barnardo’s stores help to change the lives of vulnerable children, young people, and families in the UK.