Graham collected books from the Southport GET shop and after clearing out and cleaning the Blackpool shop, made great strides in setting up the space ready for customers. Taking an empty space and turning it into a regular spot frequented by the local community.

We are delighted that a local organisation called Creative Arts and Futures will be collaborating with GET in Blackpool. This collaboration will result in some cosmetic improvements to the shop, including a new shop sign and a much anticipated mural to be painted on an inside wall. The mural will form part of an arts initiative called Sand, Sea and Spray 2016 taking place in the area and is likely to bring more customers into the shop.

Creative Arts and Futures will use one of the three Blackpool floors to hold workshops, these are educational workshops through the medium of art, creativity and fun.

Shop furniture has been donated by a local charity Helping Hand, a special thank you to them.

The opening of this recent shop has brought to light the need for a new shop checklist that clearly outlines the various responsibilities of the landlord and the charity. For example, provision of fire extinguishers, health and safety posters, electrical PAT testing etc.

We are working to produce a list of shop requirements with the associated ownership, this will then sit alongside the Volunteer Handbook. Longstanding shops are likely to already be adequately set up with all the appropriate documentation, we just need to ensure that as the number of GET shops grows, that new shops are all reaching this same standard.