New canopy installed at charity's reuse shop at Kenilworth tip to help protect items from the weather

The new Perspex canopy has been fitted at Kenilworth’s Cherry Orchard, extending from the Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire reuse shop portacabin and covers recovered items ready for sale, protecting them from the elements all year round.

The funds raised across the household waste recycling centre reuse shop network, enable Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire to deliver crucial additional services for older people in the county – such as funding extra day centres and community drop-in services – which would not be possible without the public's donations and custom.

Charity staff are currently welcoming donations of good quality goods and are appealing for pre-loved Christmas decorations and seasonal items.

Mary Lockheart, head of retail at Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “We are continually looking for ways to maximise the space available at our recycling centre locations to ensure we can re-home as many donated items as possible.

“The new canopy at Kenilworth supports this aim by providing a dedicated covered area for some of the fantastic furniture donations we receive, helping to protect items from the elements and keep them in excellent condition for customers.

“This is one of the first steps in a wider project to maximise the potential of all our shops based on Warwickshire County Council recycling centre sites.

“By making the best use of these spaces we can divert more items from landfill, increase opportunities for reuse, and generate vital income to support older people across our local communities.”

Councillor Darren Cheshire, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for environment, heritage and culture, said: “We are very proud of our partnership with Age UK and the incredible work that they do with older people across Warwickshire.

“The reuse shops at our HWRCs offer all our residents the fantastic opportunity to access a wide variety of affordable goods, which helps with the cost of living, and ensures that items are reused rather than being disposed of, which in turn helps to protect the environment.”