A NEW centre has opened its doors to provide comprehensive advice and guidance to people with visual impairments.

The former Blind Shop in Barrow has re-opened as the Vision Support Centre after two years of work.

The centre in Cavendish Street is designed to offer one point of access for people with visual impairments.

The idea to change the shop came after discussions with members, which revealed that 83 per cent wanted to see a change and that a support centre would be more beneficial.

Carl Hodge, chief executive of Barrow and District Society for the Blind, said: "We went out around the UK to different centres to get some ideas. I think we have the best sight loss centre in the UK at the moment."

The Vision Support Centre opened on Tuesday. It was felt that the new name was more fitting to the services being offered.

Mr Hodge said: "Everyone is really impressed, the feedback we have had is great.

"It can be very distressing for people losing their sight but we are here to help them."

Vision Support has a "try before you buy" system, where customers can take home anything they are interested in buying to test it out.

As well as having goods to sell, four welfare officers are based at the centre in Barrow. They visit people, giving support and advice to those who are visually impaired.

In total, the project cost £200,000, with £173,000 of this, funded through a combination of donations and grants. This money funded a new sensory room for children.

The centre has also been modified for disabled access as well as having a new lift which was funded by the National Lottery.

The new services the centre will offer include:

Low vision clinics

Kitchen skills

Children's sensory room

Welfare drop-ins

Info tech

For more information on the Vision Support Centre visit barrowblindsociety.org.uk