A NEW charity shop with a twist has been officially opened on Blackwood High Street.

Pre-Loved Furniture, as the name suggests, will be offering used and refurbished furniture for sale to customers in the town centre. But the shop will also have a small Christian Healing Café and a play area for young families.

Susan Glendinning, the shop’s owner, said she wanted to “give something back to the people of Blackwood”, and said the proceeds will go towards helping people in poverty.

“It will be a charity shop, but hopefully with a difference people will notice,” she said. “The mini cafe is meant to be very friendly and simplistic. We’ll also be able to offer young people work placements here as well.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development, Ken James, outgoing Islwyn Assembly Member Gwyn Price, and the mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Leon Gardiner, were among those present to officially open the community shop on Monday.