A PIONEERING Ludlow based social business which helps people in desperate need of furniture and household goods has been awarded £40,000.

South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has been given a Community Grant enabling it to install a mezzanine floor and ramp to improve efficiency in its warehouse for second-hand furniture.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant,” said chief executive Jean Jarvis.

“Our warehouse in Ludlow opened in September last year and needed a mezzanine floor across the remaining area of the warehouse, to enable larger and heavier items of stock to be stored on the upper level using fork-lift trucks.

“The purpose of the project is to improve access for low income families to the low cost furniture in the warehouse.

“The warehouse was becoming too crowded which meant that it was not always easy for our beneficiaries to view the furniture properly.

“It was also difficult for the staff and volunteers to work in the warehouse and to develop their skills,” she said.

“We will also buy lifting and handling equipment which will help us to move furniture to and from the mezzanine floor and enable volunteers to gain new skills.”

It is hoped that the work will be completed early next year.