Boom time for old furniture restorers
BUSINESS is booming for a Doncaster recycling operation which breathes new life into old furniture.
The recession has seen jobless figures on the up and a string of shop closures in the town centre including the borough's Woolworth's store, whose site at the Frenchgate Centre is still empty.
But it has been good news for some and staff at Doncaster ReFurnish are seeing more customers through their doors.
In the town centre they have decided to close their small shop in Nether Hall Road and concentrate their staff at a two-storey warehouse and shop in nearby Coopers Terrace.
Other branches in Stonegate, Thorne, and Carcroft Enterprise Park also report increased business.
ReFurnish is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity employing 20 staff with the same number of volunteers who collect old furniture and renovate it for sale.
Manager John Rathbone told The Star: "Business is booming. We are very successful at the moment and I think the recession has to be the reason for it.
"Our Carcroft branch has been especially busy. Because of the crunch people who would previously have bought brand new furniture are having to think about secondhand stuff to save a bit of money.
"It's affecting everyone and we are seeing the benefits. The recession has been unfortunate for some people but it's been good for us," said John.
As well as restoring furniture, ReFurnish staff also provide forklift truck and manual handling at their Carcroft operation.
Doncaster Council handles calls from people wanting to donate old furniture and have it collected and they are passed on to ReFurnish. Call 01302 736000.
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