Welcome addition to charity offering

13/04/2011

 NEWLAND Avenue is well known for its eclectic collection of charity shops.

Now, the bustling street is set to welcome another competitor.

Homeless charity Emmaus Hull is opening a new shop on Friday that will offer a range of products, from clothing and artwork to books and DVDs.

Project director Helen McGill said the charity was attracted by the busy nature of the west Hull street.

Ms McGill said: "Newland Avenue is a fabulous area for us to base this shop.

"It is so vibrant and there's a real focus on the 'love local' campaign, supporting local retailers.

"We have had such an overwhelming response from the community.

"People want to volunteer to work at the shop and are offering really good-quality donations."

Emmaus is an international organisation that offers homeless people accommodation, work and the chance to rebuild their lives.

It was launched in Hull in 2007 and works alongside a number of organisations in the city providing support for the homeless.

The Emmaus Hull team is now working towards acquiring a property of its own to offer accommodation to homeless people.

Takings at the Newland Avenue shop will contribute towards this project.

Ms McGill said: "The way the Emmaus works is that each local project becomes self-financing after five years.

"The aim of this shop is to generate funds towards the building of a community in Hull as, at the moment, the nearest one is in Leeds."

The new shop is on a small parade that has now been fully let by Garness Jones.

The Hull-based property agent is looking to sell the row of three shops and flats above as a fully let investment. Sam Vinall, surveyor at Garness Jones, said: "Newland Avenue continues to be a desirable area for retailers.

"There was a strong interest in the properties due to them being newly refurbished by our client.

"We are happy to complete the final letting to Emmaus Hull and hope this will generate interest in the units on an investment basis."