A CHARITY shop selling high-quality “shabby chic” furniture will make a huge difference to people’s lives in Leigh.

The Restore Shop, at 32 the Broadway, is promising something a little different for shoppers, while also raising cash for the Storehouse project in Southend.

John Williams, manager at the Storehouse, based in Warrior Square, Southend, said: “We aren’t considering it a charity shop, it’s more of an ethical craft shop.

“We are going to fit in on the Broadway, selling really good furniture that has been restored in our workshop.

“By the time it is all finished it will be really lovely and we’ll be on the same level as some of the boutique stores in the area.”

The new shop marks the Storehouse’s first venture in to the retail world.

The charity, run by the Vineyard Church, has provided a heavily used foodbank in Coleman Street, in Southend town centre for many years. It is busier than ever – and relying less on donations.

Alongside the work on the furniture, the same industrial unit is used to operate its work on the Essential Living Fund – a service it is contracted to provide by Southend Council, another means of helping people and generating income.

The fund helps people who have fallen on exceptionally hard times and the charity puts together packs of food, toiletries and other essentials to be handed out.

But the extra sources of income are sorely needed as the charity finds itself busier and busier.

Mr Williams added: “We’re giving out more than 600 bags of food a week and it is still increasing. People are coming to us more regularly.”