The Lord Mayor of Leeds joined pupils from Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School and special guests to cut the ribbon to the new Emmaus Leeds Halton store.
Emmaus Leeds is a charity that supports 26 formerly homeless people by offering a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise and an opportunity to get back on their feet again. The new Emmaus Leeds Halton store was officially opened on Friday 11 May by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jane Dowson, pupils from the neighbouring Corpus Christi Primary School and members of the Emmaus Leeds community.
Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jane Dowson, said: “I really enjoyed the opening of the new Emmaus shop at Halton Moor. I was amazed at the variety of goods on offer and even took the opportunity to buy a few items myself! I hope that the new shop is hugely successful, raising money for a very worthy cause, and is beneficial to the residents in the area.”
The new Emmaus Leeds Halton store stocks a wide range of good quality clothes, shoes, accessories, books, toys, music and bric-a-brac. The first customer to buy an item at the store was former Emmaus Leeds community member, Mike, who purchased a denim jacket. Mike secured full-time employment in 2017 and now has his own place to live.
Donald Forrester, Chief Executive of Emmaus Leeds, said: “I am extremely proud of our new Halton store and the quality of the refurbishment and stock within. The expansion of our social enterprise operations will provide more opportunities to the people supported by Emmaus and give residents in East Leeds an opportunity to purchase great value items.”
Emmaus Leeds has its main base, community building and shop at St Mary’s Street and a stall at Kirkgate Market where they sell donated furniture, clothes, books, bikes, household goods and upcycled products. The new Emmaus Leeds Halton store is located on 2 Selby Avenue, Halton, Leeds, LS9 0HL. The shop is now open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 4pm.
To support Emmaus Leeds visit www.emmaus.org.uk/leeds. For more information, to make a donation or get involved call 0113 248 4288 or visit Emmaus Leeds at St Mary’s Street, Leeds, LS9 7DP.