NEWS FEED
Dorset Scrapstore is celebrating its first eight months of business at The Factory, its new location on Alder Hills in Poole.
Dorset Scrapstore is a local charity that believes in a world where manufacturing waste doesn’t go to landfill but instead becomes a low cost community resource for crafting and creativity. It first opened its doors to the public in 1999, before moving to the current location in 2010 when it was a Remploy factory. In October 2012, when Remploy ceased operations due to government cuts, Dorset Scrapstore moved to Boscombe but, in April 2016 it moved back to the Remploy building, which has since been extensively regenerated by BCHA into a social enterprise hub called The Factory run by the New Leaf organisation.
Vanessa Marsh, general manager at Dorset Scrapstore, said, “We couldn’t be happier about our move to The Factory – business has doubled since opening in April.”
The Factory building was bought by BCHA in March 2014 but because it had been empty for some time, it was derelict and in need of repair. However, through generous support from the Dorset LEP and The Talbot Village Trust it has risen from the ashes and been transformed into a creative space for the local community to learn, develop and prosper.
BCHA, a specialist housing and social care provider, which helps homeless and vulnerable people access the right housing, health, learning and work opportunities, has been committed to developing social enterprises for many years. It re-invests its profits into the community to fund new initiatives and charity projects.
The Scrapstore provides an ever-changing supply of clean, safe and often random making materials which have been kindly donated by local businesses; including Lush, Sunseeker, Simpli Pac, Aeroflex and BV Dairies. Its new location is proving to be a real asset as manager Vanessa explains, “We are now able to offer longer and more convenient opening times, free parking and access for the disabled, plus a range of workshops hosted on-site in the conference facilities which is great news for the Dorset schools, community groups, and families who benefit from our services.”
The Dorset Scrapstore is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11am – 5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday. They are also looking to recruit additional Store Assistant Volunteers to help with the operation of the new store. Anyone interested should contact Vanessa Marsh at vanessa@dorsetscrapstore.org.uk or telephone 07932 325193.
