Charity shop reopens after major refurbishment to aid homelessness
The Amesbury Emporium, run by Alabaré, reopened its doors on July 29, on Earls Court Road after several months of closure for refurbishment.
Funds raised through the shop support the charity's work tackling homelessness across the South West and Wales.
Marge Goymer, retail and logistics manager at Alabaré, said: "We're so pleased to be able to welcome customers back into our Amesbury Emporium after a few months of closure.
Mayor joins celebration as revamped Emporium returns to Earls Court Road (Image: Alabaré) "There's been a huge amount of work that's gone into getting the space ready for business once again, and we're thankful for the support we've had during that process.
"Anyone with donations that could help stock the store is encouraged to pop in and speak to the team, and we'd also be keen to hear from anyone who could spare some time to volunteer for us.
"There's no restriction on age, you don't need to do a certain number of hours, and there's a wide range of roles available.
"Get in touch for more information."
The refurbishment was made possible by a large community effort, with support from corporate partners and local volunteers.
READ MORE:
Teen raises over £10k on 2,600 mile charity cycle as he stops in Salisbury
Tribute song released in memory of much-loved local music supporter
Homelessness charity calls for clearer government strategy to tackle crisis
Aspire Defence assisted with redecoration, while Benifex helped merchandise the clothing area.
The Salisbury Men's Shed installed new shelving and hanging rails, and JC Flooring supplied flooring at a heavily reduced rate.
Malcolm Cassells, chairman of Alabaré, said: "It's an exciting moment, it's good for Amesbury, and I think it's also a community facility.
"It's not just about the sales, which we absolutely need, it's about helping people, supporting them.
"The new store is much lighter, the space is being used better, I think some of the goods we're selling now are of a higher quality than previously."
Mayor of Amesbury, councillor Dr Monica Devendran, who attended the reopening, said: "It's brilliant, it's a fantastic asset for the community.
"It will offer an opportunity for volunteers too, and it will be an excellent mental health and wellbeing initiative for the community under one roof."
The shop sells quality furniture, small electrical items, clothing and accessories, books, and homewares.
It is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Southwest Gas Holdings Announces Pricing of Secondary Public Offering of Centuri Holdings, Inc. Common Stock
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SWX) ("Southwest Gas Holdings" or the "Company") today announced the pricing of an underwritten secondary public offering of Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI) ("Centuri") common stock (the "Offering"), pursuant to which Southwest Gas Holdings, as the selling stockholder, is offering 15,000,000 existing shares of Centuri's common stock, at a price of $19.50 per share. Southwest Gas Holdings has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 shares of Centuri's common stock. The Offering is expected to close on August 11, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition to the shares of Centuri's common stock sold in the Offering, Southwest Gas Holdings previously announced that Icahn Partners and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, investment entities affiliated with Carl C. Icahn, will purchase an aggregate of 1,573,500 shares of Centuri's common stock from Southwest Gas Holdings in a concurrent private placement at a price per share equal to the Offering price per share. The concurrent private placement is expected to close immediately following the closing of the Offering and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including the completion of the Offering. The sale of these shares will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The closing of the Offering is not conditioned upon the closing of the concurrent private placement. J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo Securities, BofA Securities and Moelis & Company are acting as joint lead book-running managers for the Offering. Baird, BTIG, KeyBanc Capital Markets, MUFG, and UBS Investment Bank are acting as book-running managers for the Offering. Siebert Williams Shank is acting as co-manager for the Offering. The shares are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement (including a base prospectus) that has been filed by Centuri with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed by Centuri with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website at The Offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus that forms a part of the registration statement, copies of which may be obtained, when available, by request from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by email at prospectus-eq_fi@ and postsalemanualrequests@ Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to WFScustomerservice@ BofA Securities, Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, or by email at or Moelis & Company LLC, Attention: Moelis & Company LLC, 399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10022 at (800) 539-9413. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act. About Southwest Gas Holdings Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., through its primary operating subsidiary Southwest Gas Corporation, engages in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas. Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of over 2 million customers throughout Arizona, Nevada, and California by providing safe and reliable service while innovating sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities. In addition, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. is the majority owner of Centuri Holdings, Inc., which provides comprehensive utility infrastructure services across North America. About Centuri Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a strategic utility infrastructure services company that partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes and businesses across the United States and Canada. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding Southwest Gas Holdings' expectations or intentions regarding the future. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of words such as "will", "predict", "continue", "forecast", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "outlook", "could", "target", "project", "intend", "plan", "seek", "estimate", "should", "may" and "assume", as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future, and include (without limitation) statements regarding expectations with respect to the closing of the Offering and the concurrent private placement and whether the underwriters will exercise their option to purchase additional shares. A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of Southwest Gas Holdings and/or Centuri could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the timing of a separation of our remaining interests in Centuri, the timing and impact of executing (or not executing) such transaction alternatives, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in rate design, customer growth rates, the effects of regulation/deregulation, tax reform and similar changes and related regulatory decisions, the impacts of construction activity at Centuri, the potential for, and the impact of, a credit rating downgrade, the costs to integrate new businesses, future earnings trends, inflation, sufficiency of labor markets and similar resources, seasonal patterns, current and future litigation, and the impacts of stock market volatility. Factors that could cause actual results to differ also include (without limitation) those discussed in Southwest Gas Holdings' and Centuri's respective periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC, including Southwest Gas Holdings' and Centuri's most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk," as well as the prospectus supplement relating to the Offering filed with the SEC. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by Southwest Gas Holdings and/or Centuri on their websites or otherwise. Southwest Gas Holdings does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hoped-for summer boost for retailers failed to materialise, figures show
A hoped-for summer boost to retail has failed to materialise for the second consecutive year as one in seven shops lie empty, latest figures have shown. Total UK footfall was down by 0.4% year on year in July while shopper visits to the high street fell by 1.7%, according to British Retail Consortium-Sensormatic data. Shopping centre footfall was down by 0.3% but visits to retail parks were up by 1.7% on a year ago, reflecting continued new openings by major brands. Footfall in Wales saw a 0.4% increase compared to the previous year but declined in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland by 0.3%, 1.3% and 3% respectively. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: 'July failed to bring about the summer boost in shoppers many retailers had hoped for. Instead, footfall dipped in July for the second consecutive year. 'Customers want a vibrant shopping destination, but with around one in seven shops lying empty, more needs to be done to turn town and city centres into places people want to visit. 'While government's plan to reduce business rates for most retail, hospitality and leisure premises is a step in the right direction, only a substantial cut will truly benefit communities nationwide and help bring thousands of empty shops back into use.' Andy Sumpter, from Sensormatic, said: 'England's Lionesses might have won the women's Euros in July, but footfall has not yet come home it seems. 'The early July heatwave, following a scorcher in June, may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail, while one year into a new Labour government consumer sentiment remains cautious. 'The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but this is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less? 'Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience and convenience may be best-placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bill and Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge after 15 years: Only 9 of the 256 billionaires actually followed through on giving away half their wealth
The Giving Pledge is a charitable campaign, launched in 2010 by Bill and Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, that invites the world's wealthiest individuals and families to publicly commit to giving away at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetimes or in their wills. The Institute for Policy Studies' report 'The Giving Pledge at 15' finds that the initiative—where billionaires publicly pledge to give at least half their wealth to charity—remains mostly unfulfilled, with most signatories far wealthier now than when they joined, and a majority of charitable giving funneled into private foundations and donor-advised funds rather than directly supporting operational charities. The IPS team, led by Chuck Collins, Bella DeVaan, Helen Flannery, and Dan Petergorsky, invites the public to examine its data and methodology. Collins is himself an Oscar Mayer heir who gave away his fortune and has dedicated his career to researching wealth inequality. Few have fulfilled the pledge, according to the IPS calculations. Only one set of living 2010 Pledgers (Laura and John Arnold) have actually given away half their wealth. Among the 22 deceased U.S. Pledgers, only eight met their pledge before death—just one, Chuck Feeney, gave away his entire fortune while alive. The pledge is a public, moral commitment rather than a legally binding contract; participants sign an open letter explaining their reasons for giving and can choose which causes and charities to support. The initiative was designed to inspire generosity, set new norms for billionaire philanthropy, and shift how major wealth is used to address pressing social challenges Key findings: 256 individuals, couples, or families have signed the Giving Pledge, including 194 from the U.S. and 62 from other countries. Of the U.S. signers, 110 remain billionaires, with combined wealth of $1.7 trillion—about 13% of all U.S. billionaires. Among the original 57 U.S. signers in 2010, 32 are still billionaires. Their collective net worth has increased by 283% since signing (166% adjusted for inflation). Only 11 of the original group are no longer billionaires, mainly because their wealth fell below the threshold, not due to giving. Giving is mostly to intermediaries: Of an estimated $206 billion donated by the original 2010 Pledgers, roughly 80% ($164 billion) has gone into private foundations—with only a small fraction moved into donor-advised funds. In 2023, 44 foundations tied to these billionaires held $120 billion in assets and paid out a median of 9.2%, often far below the appreciated value of those assets. Wealth is outpacing giving: For most, the speed of wealth accumulation exceeds charitable donations, making the pledge functionally impossible to fully realize at current trajectories. Tax and public impact: If all living original Pledgers gave enough to meet the promise today, nearly $367 billion would flow to charity. However, such gifts would lead to as much as $272 billion in forgone federal tax revenue, reducing support for public programs, since wealthy donors can claim up to 74% in charitable tax deductions. Concentration of philanthropic power: The report warns of a coming 'Great Wealth Transfer' that, combined with favorable tax law and slow charitable payout rates, will further entrench billionaire family foundations, concentrate power, and undermine democratic accountability. Policy recommendations from the report include: Raising minimum payout requirements and ensuring funds flow swiftly from foundations and DAFs to working charities, not parked for years. Increasing transparency, public accountability, and enforcement to curb abuses of charitable vehicles for personal or political gain. Taxing large fortunes more fairly in order to slow excessive accumulation and reduce dependence on private philanthropy. The report advocates returning to the 'giving while living' ethos exemplified by Chuck Feeney, and calls for systemic reforms to ensure charitable donations serve the public interest—not just the tax and legacy interests of the ultra-rich. The report 'raises important questions, but excludes 'significant forms of charitable giving,' The Giving Pledge said in a statement to Fortune. 'For fifteen years, the Giving Pledge has helped create new norms of generosity and grown into a connected and active global learning community. The recent IPS report raises important questions that aim to encourage greater giving,' the organization said. 'Unfortunately, the report's reliance on incomplete data, and its exclusion of significant forms of charitable giving—such as gifts made to foundations and other intermediaries—paints a misleading picture of the impact and intent of Giving Pledge signatories and the spirit and intent of the Giving Pledge.' For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. This story was originally featured on Solve the daily Crossword
