SECONDHAND furniture will mean a south Cumbrian charity can lend a helping hand to more people across the area.

Spirits are high among staff at St Mary's Hospice after the grand opening of its new store in Barrow.

Until recently the old Agrilek building in Duke Street stood unused and unwanted but since taking it over St Mary's has given it a new lease of life.

The new secondhand furniture shop will help fund the round-the-clock support the charity provides throughout the area.

Caroline Welch, head of retail for St Mary's, said: "I’m chuffed to bits. It’s been a lot of hard work and I’m delighted to see the amount of people come through the door this morning. I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from our customers. I’m grateful to all the local businesses who have helped and supported us on this adventure."

The warehouse was formally opened by mayor of Barrow, Councillor Tony Callister.

He said: "I think the new premises are fit for purpose. It’s a great way to expand. The dedication and support of the staff at St Mary's Hospice is fantastic, but that’s Barrow. Us Barrovians stick together."

The warehouse will also include a clinical area for hospice staff to serve people who live in Barrow. Until now, their only site has been in Ulverston, ruling out care for people unable to travel.

St Mary's chief executive Val Stangoe was excited that the hospice would be able to reach even more people.

She said: "The most exciting thing for us as a hospice is that by having the new clinical space attached to the furniture warehouse, we can make this new hospice site in Barrow affordable. We won’t have beds on this Barrow site but over time we will be able to offer everything else the hospice does."

This new venture will help keep St Mary's running. It costs around £2.8m a year to provide all its services in the area, but only 22 per cent of that funding is provided by the NHS.

Learn more about the hospice by visiting their website www.stmaryshospice.org.uk.

Read more about St Mary's, and their place in our community:

Volunteers turn out to boost a hospice tea party

Staff at St Mary's get smart with learning how to get the best out of the internet

Two daughters pay tribute to St Mary's after their mother sadly passed away