Amazing news was announced yesterday (29.4.25) from the ever-inventive Care for Cleveleys group! The next exciting step in their evolution has been revealed… C4C is setting up S.H.O.P. and will be occupying retail premises at the heart of the town centre. All thanks to a whopping £20,000 grant from the Walney Extension Community Fund.
C4C is Setting up SHOP!
After plenty of building and repair work is completed, the group will be moving into 2 Princess Road – the old Red Cross shop opposite B&M.
Ground floor retail space will be used for fundraising – creating a regular stream of income – all proceeds of which will be invested into projects in town. The rest of the two-storey building will be space for events, activities, projects and partnership working. A true community space, right in the middle of town.
Over the last ten years, Care for Cleveleys has grown into a substantial and productive group. Delivering everything from painting and planting to Christmas lights and events. (More about what we do, here). And that’s been recognised with a prestigious Kings Award for Voluntary Service (the equivalent of an MBE) and Gold In Bloom Awards. At the limit of what it can do without space and its own premises, the Walney grant will secure the future of the group.
First to Look Inside
Regular volunteers were excited to have the first look around the empty building after their regular monthly meet-up. Exploring their new home from top to bottom the building was filled with chatter, laughter and ideas for what the future might hold.
Suggested ideas for the name, shop front design, revamped branding and probable use of the space were on display for comment. Along with feedback forms and sign-up sheets for anyone wanting to work there. Currently, the proposed name for the building is S.H.O.P. Coined when plans were being developed it’s simple and quirky and just feels right. Especially with all the other obvious community-name spaces already existing in nearby towns.
Opportunities for the Town!
Jane Littlewood is Chair and founder of Care for Cleveleys. She said “We’re all so excited to have secured the opportunity to take this next step in our growth. It’s going to bring so many opportunities to the town and to people who live here and visit. The community and wellbeing benefits are enormous as well as the physical improvements that everyone sees in the town.”
Liz Sperling is also a Director of Cleveleys Town Centre Group Ltd, the management company which oversees Care for Cleveleys. She added “A lot of effort has gone into the grant application and getting to the stage where we can take occupancy of the building. We’re so grateful to the Walney Extension Community Fund for making it possible. But now the real hard work – and the fun – will begin. We’ll also be looking for even more volunteers, including people to work in the shop. So if you fancy being part of the team just come along and join in.”
Follow the day-today goings on of Care for Cleveleys on Facebook
Hi Jane
What a fantastic project.
I work full time, but I would be available Saturday mornings if you need any help in the shop.
I am a Finance Manager and Slimming World Consultant in Cleveleys and would love to give back some of my time to the Community.
I have in the past been a Leader for Macmillan Cancer Research in Accrington and raised over 150k in my 5 years of position.
Regards
Well done!
Disabled access ?
The ground floor is accessible to wheelchairs and a stairlift will be fitted for upstairs.