Thanet Freeshop has opened in Cliftonville thanks to a fundraiser and a £10,000 grant from Thanet council.
The shop, on Northdown Road, offers support for those facing financial hardship.
The shop, which follows the model as Maya’s Community Support Centre in Herne Bay – founded by Maya Amangeldiyeva in 2022 – aims to provide pre-loved clothing and homeware for those who are struggling.
Heading up the campaign is Ali Barratt who was manager at Maya’s Herne Bay free shop.
The ribbon cutting honours on Saturday were done by Thanet council deputy leader Helen Whitehead.
On social media, she said: “We have supported the Freeshop with a grant of £10,000 to enable them to open and become established and will be working with them on future recycling and community support projects.
“£1 entry allows any individual or family to take what they need from the shop; vital support for our community in Margate and in Thanet.”
The free shops sprung from the opening of Maya’s café in Herne Bay in 2015.
She was then helping Ukrainian families who were coming into the area after leaving conflict in their homeland and she put a clothes rail outside her café.
People began to bring unwanted items of clothing in for the Ukrainian families. And by 2022 the café was rammed with items for all of the community who needed a helping hand.
That year Maya moved premises and set up a CIC and the scheme evolved from there to include a stock room with food and then a warehouse for furniture.
The free shops are now in six towns, including Ashford, with hopes that Cliftonville will become the newest outlet.
Opening times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Wednesday & Sunday closed.
