Trips to the tip are now a bit different in Preston as the re-use shop has now opened at Ingol.

From a wedding dress bearing a £699 price tag to a full tea set there’s a host of items already up for sale.

Advertisements

The re-use shop has been open since January but was officially opened on Wednesday (15 February).

The shop allows items which were due to be thrown away to be saved and re-sold to the public.

Cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services county councillor Marcus Johnstone said: “It’s great to recycle, but it’s even better to reduce the amount we throw away in the first place, and to re-use things which are still of value before they become what we normally think of as waste.

“This will not only ensure less waste is sent to landfill, but provide somewhere people can pick up the everyday things they need, at prices they can afford.

“I was intrigued to learn that in the short time the shop has been open it has already rescued a wedding dress which had been thrown in the skips. The dress still had its price tag attached showing it was originally bought for £699. It seems this could be just the place to visit if you want to find an unusual bargain.”

Read more: Preston Western Distributor work to begin in 2018

The recycling centre at Tom Benson Way has seen brisk trading after teething problems in the early days.

The county council say the re-use shop at Garstang inspired them to branch out.

County cllr JOhnstone said: “It is imperative that all our services are affordable due to the unprecedented financial challenges the council faces, and we expect this shop to become self-funding. It shows how money can be saved, and raised, by selling good quality items that we would otherwise have to pay to send to landfill.

“Facilities like this help to save both money and valuable resources whilst improving social value and supporting local communities, and I would like to thank everyone who’s worked to make it possible. I’m sure this shop will be a great place for anyone to find a bargain and I’d encourage people to support it.”

Read more: Penwortham library and childrens centre saved

The re-use shop is open from 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday, but donations can be made at any time the tip is open.

What can be donated at the re-use shop?

Soft furnishings such as armchairs; beds and mattresses; and sofas

Hard furnishings such as bookcases; cabinets; chairs; chests of drawers; cupboards; tables; TV and hi-fi units; and wardrobes

Bric-a-brac including books, crockery, DVDs, CDs, records, ceramics and glassware

Toys and sports equipment such as bikes, golf clubs, jigsaws and board games

Do you use this recycling centre? What do you think of the idea? Let us know in the comments below