New shop to open in Portsmouth selling fridges and washing machines to help families out of debt
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Portsmouth City Council has revealed its ambition to set up a one-stop shop selling white goods for low-income families.
The scheme could launch in the coming months and would offer second-hand fridges, freezers and washing machines.
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Hide AdIt’s hoped the proposal would help the island’s poorest families avoid using loan sharks to buy such items from high street retailers.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson, a Liberal Democrat, said: ‘This is part of what we’re trying to do to confront poverty and find ways to help people who are having a difficult time financially.
‘You have got to have a cooker, fridge-freezer and washing machine to bring up a family.
‘But many families who are struggling financially can’t afford these white goods and turn to extortionate loans, falling deeper and deeper into debt. It’s outrageous.’
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Hide AdA store could potentially be opened in a vacant premises in Commercial Road, Portsmouth.
Cllr Vernon-Jackson said the council was looking to ‘sell, rent or give’ white goods to needy residents.
Second-hand school uniforms could also be sold by the council in a new measure to help cash-strapped city families, Cllr Vernon-Jackson added.
Lib Dem education chief, Councillor Suzy Horton welcomed the news.
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Hide Ad‘This has to be a positive thing, she said. ‘School uniforms can be very expensive.
‘Children grow up and grow up very quickly. Their clothes don’t normally wear out. So to recycle them would be a really sensible idea.’
Tory leader Donna Jones was eager to see more being done to help the city’s poorest.
Councillor Jones, who opened an ‘all-year round homeless shelter’ in the city during her time as council leader, said: ‘Tackling homelessness is a big focus for me.
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Hide Ad‘I have been working on a scheme where every business and resident in the city can contribute directly. It’s about tackling mental health, not just accommodation.’
Speaking of Cllr Vernon-Jackson’s proposal, she added: ‘Supporting cheap white goods and school uniforms is a great idea and I welcome the council’s initiative.’
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