Worthing charity plans to open its first shop after launching crowdfunder on Spacehive

Superstar Arts is based at West Worthing Baptist Church, in South Street, Tarring, and it has been offered the opportunity to take over a shop a few doors down.

The aim is to raise £5,553 by April 30 and the campaign on Spacehive has already reached £2,100.

Lloyd Davies, project instructor and lead administrator, said: “Our big news is that we will be taking on a charity shop. This will also be a space where we can proudly sell our own products and some of our Superstars can gain valuable work experience.

“This is just a few doors down from our main delivery premises, so it is the perfect location.”

The charity delivers creative educational projects to adults with learning disabilities and already has an online shop, selling cards, notebooks, tea towels, tote bags and t-shirts, featuring designs created by Superstar artists.

The crowdfunder was launched on February 19 to raise the money to cover all the set-up costs for taking on the charity shop in South Street, Tarring.

Lloyd said: “This is a really big step forward for Superstar Arts. We were approached by the Worthing Cat Welfare Trust, who currently run the charity shop, to ask if we would consider taking on the premises.

“This is a dream opportunity for us to provide work experience opportunities for our participants, who will be able to work in the shop and sell their own handmade products. Especially helpful is that the shop is so close to where we deliver.

“There will be an initial layout cost of setting the shop up to cater to the needs of our participants, including the need for a new water heater, waste removal, lighting, painting, signage, shelving and reconfiguration, taking into account social distancing and accessibility.”

Visit www.spacehive.com/superstararts for more information and to support the Spacehive crowdfunder.

Worthing Cat Welfare Trust announced on its Cherish the charity shop ( Worthing Cat Welfare Trust ) Facebook group on February 12 that its charity shop would not be reopening.

Abigail Corcoran-Green, shop manager said: “We are so sad to announce that the WCWT charity shop will not be reopening and the charity has decided not to have another shop in the town. However, watch this space for updates.”