A CHARITY which provides free furniture to those in need has closed its town centre shop.

But Gateway Furniture will still be helping the vulnerable by storing, selling and sending out supplies from its West Swindon warehouse while searching for a new shop location.

For eight years, the project has been welcoming customers inside its two-storey space on Havelock Square for a browse and a cuppa, though the building has now been sold to new owners.

Andrew Williams has been the project manager for seven of those years. He said: "It's been a real blessing to have been there with no cost.

"It was a nice space and we would love to still be there but it was not possible and there's no hard feelings between us and the new owners.

"The change of ownership has happened very quickly but it's all been above board and we have had the correct legal notifications.

"We are working on a new community hub in the town centre which will be a collaborative way of working on social impact in the area and a prominent part of the community.

"In the meantime, we will work online to continue our support to the people we're helping and keep selling furniture from our warehouse to raise money for the work we do."

Swindon Advertiser: Gateway Furniture moves its stock out of Havelock SquareGateway Furniture moves its stock out of Havelock Square

Gateway Furniture is part of Gateway Church and provides good quality second-hand furniture, domestic appliances and home starter items. 

The Christian charity has been supporting a higher-than-usual amount of people in recent months due to the cost of living crisis - around 45 households a month have received donated furniture and the team is currently helping around 250 people who have been referred to them from other organisations.

Staff and volunteers collect goods from households across the Swindon area which, in most cases, are then passed on to other homes who would otherwise be unable to purchase them.

This also helps the environment by reusing household goods which would have ended up going to landfill.

There are currently more than 60 support agencies or organisations which refer clients to the project, including social services, Citizens Advice, and health visitors.

The charity provides sofas, beds, tables, chairs, wardrobes, chests of drawers, electric cookers, washing machines, fridges, freezers, crockery, bedding, cookware, and curtains.

Referrals have been paused until September 2.

To donate or find out more, visit https://gatewayfurniture.org.uk