Nearly 14 years after opening its initial reuse shop in Seacroft, Revive celebrated the launch of its latest retail outlet in Hunslet this week.
The new store offers a wide range of items, including quality furniture, electrical goods, clothing, music, and books, all at significantly reduced prices. This initiative supports the community by providing a platform for residents to pass on their pre-loved items. Revive operates five retail outlets across West Yorkshire, staffed by a dedicated team of 67 employees and supported by over 30 volunteers, including individuals in work-based training programs. These programs offer valuable retail and warehousing experience, helping participants transition into paid employment.
All donated items undergo electrical testing to ensure safety and functionality. Sales proceeds are invested back into the community, supporting Revive’s partner charities —SLATE’s The Feel Good Furniture Store, which offers employment opportunities to individuals with learning disabilities, and the St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales), which focuses on poverty alleviation in Leeds.
Residents can visit the Hunslet store to purchase items or drop off donations daily from 10am to 5:30pm. Revive collaborates with Leeds City Council to gather reusable donations from household waste recycling centers. These items, ranging from furniture and bric-a-brac to clothing, are offered at affordable prices at their reuse shops, including locations in Kirkstall and Seacroft.
Leeds City Council executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:
“It’s great to see a third Revive shop being opened in Leeds that helps to build on our successful partnership together. It can only be a good thing that more and more of the fantastic reuseable items we receive at council recycling centres can find a new home whilst benefitting our local communities and the environment.”
Louise Megson, Director at Revive said:
“Revive are proud to yet again open another retail outlet which not only aids in our objective to convert as much, designated waste, into reuse but also brings employment to the local communities where we are based. Last year we saved 1,650 tonnes from the waste stream providing local people with affordable and quality goods.”
The Hunslet store, covering nearly 3,000 square feet, is open every day and features convenient parking for two cars at the front. The shop offers a wide variety of items for sale, including:
Home and garden furniture.
Clothing and footwear.
Kitchen essentials such as cutlery and crockery.
Books, DVDs, CDs, records, board games, and toys.
Electrical gadgets like lamps and food mixers.
In the past year alone, Revive has facilitated the reuse of 1,150 bicycles and sold over 40,000 books.
Revive Reuse Community Interest Company, established in November 2010, is a collaboration among local organizations, currently including St Vincent de Paul and SLATE. The company directs any financial surplus at the end of the year to these member charities, supporting their ongoing efforts to serve their specific client groups.
In partnership with Leeds City Council, Revive Leeds opened its inaugural reuse shop in August 2011 at the Seacroft household waste and recycling center. This initiative was aimed at capturing and redirecting waste for valuable reuse. Since then, Revive has grown significantly, now operating five stores across Leeds and Kirklees, located in Seacroft, Kirkstall, Hunslet, Huddersfield, and Batley.
Revive Leeds not only focuses on environmental sustainability but also emphasizes community engagement and development. By providing work-based training and volunteering opportunities, it helps individuals gain practical retail and warehousing experience, which can be a stepping stone to paid employment.
Looking forward, Revive Leeds aims to continue its expansion and enhance the efficiency and reach of its services. As environmental awareness grows and the community becomes increasingly supportive of sustainable practices, Revive Leeds is poised to lead by example, showing how businesses can succeed while positively impacting society and the planet.
For more information about Revive Leeds and how you can contribute, please visit www.revivereuse.org.uk
