Member Article

Flooring store donation helps community enterprise project

The renovation of derelict buildings in a County Durham village to create a new social enterprise hub for the local community has had a shot in the arm following a donation from a local family-run flooring company.

Shildon-based Flooring Superstore have donated hundreds of pounds worth of underlay to support the Sacriston Enterprise Workshop project.

The underlay has been used in an office and classroom in the former Cooperative Workshops in Plasworth Road, which are being transformed into a hub for the local community, housing social enterprises and charities.

One of these social enterprises is Live Well North East, a community interest company (CIC) which provides wellbeing services to disadvantaged children, young people and adults in County Durham.

Live Well North East, along with another CIC Woodshed Workshops, are the driving force behind the restoration of the buildings.

Live Well North East Director Emma Pattison said: “The buildings are derelict and have been for some time, but behind all the wear and tear there is a stunning series of workshops and retail spaces waiting for an opportunity to return to their original purpose - as a home in which local start-up enterprises like ours can flourish and support the local economy.

“As not-for-profit community interest companies, we need lots of help with funding, resources building materials and volunteers, and we have already had lots of fantastic support.

“We approached Flooring Superstore to see if they would be willing to help and were delighted when they donated the underlay.

“It has been put in one of the offices and classrooms, with wooden flooring then going on top, and given the age and condition of the building, it’s going to come in very useful, and warm, when we run projects in winter.

“We would like to thank Flooring Superstore for their kind donation; it’s making a great contribution this project and the goal of having a facility which can serve the community for years to come.”

Dan Foskett, Managing Director of Flooring Superstore, said “As a local company, we’ve always been keen to support charities and local enterprises which do so much good in our communities.

“The Sacriston Enterprise Workshop project is a fantastic example of how local people can improve their surroundings and bring about positive social and economic change, and we’re looking forward to seeing it flourish over the coming years.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Neil Shaefer .