A CHARITY shop with a difference is set to open in Middlewich next month with the idea being that the money raised will not leave the town. 

The Thrift Shop will open its doors in High Town, Middlewich, in September, with 60 per cent of its takings going to Middlewich community groups and families going through financial hardship.

Steven Doyle, owner of the shop, said: “It’s much like a charity but with one major difference, none of the money will leave the town of Middlewich. 

“The money raised will help to fund motorised wheelchairs and mobility aids, local community and youth groups, pensioners associations and those devastated by tragedy like house fires. 

“Thrift will also help families who have seen the bread winner suddenly lose their jobs and those in financial difficulty due to benefit sanctions who have kids and need a little cash boost or food in the cupboards to tide them over. However proof of difficulty will need to be produced and they cannot be helped at a local food bank.”

A month before opening and The Thrift Shop has already pledged a £1,000 donation in two instalments to James Harrold, the crash victim who appeared in last week’s Guardian needing to raise £20,000 for prosthetic legs. 

The shop will sell clothes, shoes and brick-a-brack and will sell everything at low prices to have a fast turnaround of stock. 

Steven and the board of trustees are raring to go but before The Thrift Shop can help the community, the owner is asking for help from it.

Steven added: “We need more donations and badly need shelving for the shop. If any businesses can donate any wood for shelving that would be great. We also need some clothes racks.”