Staff at Barnet’s first furniture reuse scheme are celebrating after collecting 100 tonnes of unwanted goods in just over a year after first opening its doors.
The Barnet Furniture Centre was created by social landlord Barnet Homes in March 2011 to cut the amount of furniture thrown away unnecessarily and enable people to buy good quality items at affordable prices.
In April 2012 the centre, based in Queen’s Parade, Friern Barnet, reached the 100 tonne collection milestone. Preventing these items from going to landfill equates to a saving of 280 tonnes of C02 emissions.
The centre, which is now run by an independent charity, has also delivered 86 tonnes of furniture to more than 1,000 households. Residents can find out more about what’s on offer at its websitewww.barnetfurniturecentre.org (external link).
The centre collects any decent item of furniture, along with electrical goods. Sales operate on a two-tier price structure, with discounts for people who can prove receipt of benefits, though its emphasis is on affordability for all.
Centre manager Beth Swallow said: “We are thrilled to have reached this 100 tonne landmark. The support from the local community has been fantastic, and we really feel now that we are an established link to those families who need the project to furnish their homes.”
Barnet Homes, which manages 15,000 council properties on behalf of Barnet Council, set about creating the borough’s furniture reuse facility after some staff expressed concern about the amount of good quality furniture being thrown away or dumped on council estates.
Thanks to the support of Barnet Council and funding from the London Community Resource Network (LCRN) and Milly Apthorp Trust, the centre was able to set up its showroom in Friern Barnet on 1 March 2011.
Besides its success in collecting and selling furniture, the centre has also created three full-time posts, one part-time post and one apprentice post through a Barnet Homes apprenticeship scheme for its residents
It has also offered 12 volunteering opportunities, along with a chance for three people on the Probation Service’s Community Scheme to learn new skills and turn their lives around.
Along with direct sales, the centre offers a voucher scheme to enable new Barnet Homes tenants to furnish their homes with its items. More than 180 new tenants have benefited so far.
Barnet Homes Chief Executive, Tracey Lees, said: “The Barnet Furniture Centre has been a real success story and we’re very proud of our role in making it possible.
“It’s fantastic that it has now collected more than 100 tonnes of furniture. It’s helping to reduce waste in Barnet and giving people the opportunity to buy good quality items at great value at a time when money is tight for many. I’m sure the centre will go from strength to strength.”