A NEW sandwich shop to be staffed by adults with learning disabilities is due to open in Barrow.

The Crofties Sandwich Bar, set up by the Croft Care Trust, will open its doors next week.

It will give work placements to people with learning disabilities as well as offering tasty produce.

A number of pies, sandwiches, cakes and smoothies will be among items on the menu.

The sandwich used to be home of the Highlands Avenue post office.

It has been transformed after a year of planning and another six months of work.

It is due to open its doors on November 5.

Croft Care Trust general manager Steven Hibbert said: “The purpose of the project is to provide work experience placements for adults with learning disabilities.

“It is hoped this will help to encourage and enable a sense of community integration - teach both life skills and transferable skills whilst also providing a meaningful activity.

“Being engaged in “meaningful activities” allows people to meet some of their most basic needs, such as socialisation, a sense of accomplishment, a sense of purpose, as well as their need for cognitive and physical stimulation.

“Such activities also create a sense of collaboration when participating with others.”

The Croft Care Trust is a charity based in Barrow’s Hawcoat Lane.

Mr Hibbert added: “The charity has always been forward thinking and 24 years ago opened the first residential care village in the area which continues today to provide a high standard of care to the residents who live there.

“We again believe that this new venture is the first of its kind in the local area and hope it will be supported by the local community.”

Newbarns councillor Mark Burley welcomed the shop’s impending opening.

He said: “It’s a really good idea.

“Adults with learning difficulties often get a raw deal."

He added: "I think it would be somewhere that people nearby go to and maybe people would travel to from further away.”