Hereford MP backs social venture at new base

Hereford MP Jesse Norman has praised a venture putting unwanted items to good use locally as he officially opened its new base in the city.

Herefordshire Recycle & Reuse Organisation (HRRO) was given planning permission in July to turn Wye Valley Court, a former industrial building in the Rotherwas industrial estate, into a new base and showroom.

Previously based at the Pavilion, Widemarsh Common in the city and at Wormelow in the south of the county, the group provides those in need locally, including homeless people and refugees, with furniture, household goods and clothing, while also raising funds by selling goods to the public.

Its new 1,000-square-metre premises includes a recycling point, scrap store, wellie bank, toy shop, bric-a-brac and a clothing section offering free school uniforms.

Cutting the ribbon at its official opening, Mr Norman said: “I have been a supporter of this group for a long time and this is a fantastic step forward for it.

“It’s very accessible for those who want to buy things and volunteer.”

HRRO director Liz Davies said the organisation is “trying to raise its profile” which would in turn help cover the new building’s “high” overheads as well as fund its work in the community.

“We get asked if we’re open to ordinary people – yes we are, Wednesday to Saturday,” she said, and added: “We are keeping prices affordable.”

Among volunteers at the new venture will be pupils from Madley primary school’s “eco-team” who joined Mr Norman at the ribbon-cutting.

“From next month the children will be doing jobs like pricing items here, as they are learning how to run a business,” teaching assistant at the school Emma Hirst said.