Scrapstore finds a home sweet home after Remploy factory closure (From Bournemouth Echo)

Scrapstore finds a home sweet home after Remploy factory closure

4:00pm Tuesday 27th November 2012 in News By Paula Roberts

AN ORGANISATION that turns waste from industry into a community resource has found a new home.

Dorset Scrapstore was forced to relocate last month when the Remploy factory it operated from in Poole closed down.

The non-for-profit company collects materials donated by industry and sells them to community groups, schools and individuals for art, craft, education and play.

It also runs affordable workshops for children and sells arts and crafts products.

Its original store is based in Puddletown and was set up 12 years ago.

Now Dorset Scrapstore has set up shop within The Factory in Haviland Road, Boscombe.

To showcase their new Bournemouth Aladdin’s cave, the store held a grand opening on Saturday which saw local groups from Boscombe compete in the scarecrow challenge. Manager Sharon Grigg said they had only been in the Remploy building for 12 months but had increased membership by just over 50 per cent.

“When they decided to close Remploy we were absolutely devastated and thought we would have to move back to Puddletown.

“But we were determined to stay and the place in Boscombe is ideal for us. It’s a great community with lots of arts and craft activities going on.”

The closure Remploy’s factory in Poole put 16 disabled and two able-bodied people out of work following a cut in government funding. It also forced three other businesses, including Dorset Scrapstore, into finding new premises.

To find out more about Dorset Scrapstore Bournemouth and its opening times visit the website dorsetscrapstore.org.uk.