Emmaus Greenwich Community opens New Shop in Lee High Road (LEWISHAM)
Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, and Terry Waite, CBE, President of Emmaus UK attended the official opening of the Emmaus Community Shop on Friday 13th June.
Emmaus Greenwich already has a shop in its Community building in Plumstead but has now expanded the social enterprise by opening another retail premises in Lewisham. The new shop sells good quality, second-hand household goods at reasonable prices. Everything from beds to bric-a-brac will be available for sale.
Mr Waite welcomed the Mayor of Lewisham, and said that he was doubly proud to be there with the Mayor. Firstly, because he had the honour of being a Freeman of the Borough of Lewisham, and secondly, because the Emmaus Community in Greenwich had achieved its long-time desire to open a reuse/recycling shop in its neighbouring Borough.
Mr Waite praised the Companions (as previously homeless residents in Emmaus Communities are called) for their hard work and commitment to getting the shop up and running, and also thanked Emmaus staff and trustees for their continuing dedication to the Community’s fine work.
Before cutting the green ribbon, which was chosen as a symbol for recycle, re-use, repair, Sir Steve Bullock said, “I’m really pleased to be here, to mark what I sincerely hope is the beginning of a long relationship with Emmaus. This venture deserves the full support of all of us in Lewisham. Look what they’re doing - recycling unwanted furniture, which would otherwise end up in landfill, and providing a good supply of household goods at very reasonable prices. This is great news for low-income households in the area and good news for Lewisham. What’s more, the shop proceeds contribute to the funding of the Emmaus Community. This is a win-win enterprise, and you really can call this a “virtuous circle”.”
The shop, well situated at the corner of Lee High Road and Old Road has been transformed into a lively, colourful place with good quality second-hand furniture, pictures and ornaments, glass and china.
Emmaus Communities help its previously homeless residents work to support themselves by collecting, refurbishing and selling donated goods. Customers of Emmaus shops not only pick up bargains, but they also help divert goods from landfill and contribute towards helping homeless people to turn their lives around.
Address of the new Emmaus Community Shop:
332 Lee High Road
Lewisham,
London SE13 5PN
Tel: 020 8854 3456
(Opening hours: 10.30am to 4.30pm Tue - Sat)
Published on 1st July, 2008
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