New furniture venture for Scarborough-based learning organisation

Futureworks NY, which is a not-for-profit organisation helping local learners from school age upwards, is set to open its new business, Furniture Works, at 39 St Thomas Street, Scarborough.

Furniture Works will provide a workshop and retail premises for the sale preowned furniture which has been skilfully restored and upcycled by the Futureworks NY team.

Sarah Thornton, co-founder of Futureworks NY, said: “We had the idea before lockdown as we needed a space to show off the creations made by our learners. Our remit includes teaching and sharing practical skills with our learners and one of the key areas is the restoration of donated furniture.”

Furniture Works will include a workshop to the rear, a retail space to the front and a brand-new website which will be launched in time for the new shop opening next month.

Michelle Padron-Kitching said: “We have worked very hard to transform the premises into a fantastic retail space.

“Our learners and their mentors do an amazing job transforming tired pieces of furniture into something that can find its ‘forever home’. So, we not only put our learners’ skills to good use, we also prevent items heading to landfill, and provide essential quality furniture at a price people can afford.”

Additional services Furniture Works which are set to be provided by the team include bespoke upcycling of a customer’s beloved furniture items.

Futureworks NY, a Community Interest Company, was founded in 2012 and helps local learners from school age upwards, enabling them to acquire life skills, confidence, practical skills and some qualifications in an environment that suits their individual requirements.

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