Fishermen's Mission charity unveils new shop in Helston JobCentre

The Fishermen's Mission unveiled its new shop at an official opening this morning, with town mayor John Martin cutting the ribbon.

Helping bring a fishy flavour to the sea-orientated shop was mermaid Suzie Inman, who sat in the window waving at customers to encourage them in to see what it had for sale.

It was revealed by the Packet back in May that the charity was relocating to the former JobCentre building, following much speculation over who had taken over the site in Coinagehall Street.

It has moved from its small shop in Meneage Street to the three-storey building, where it will be able to expand what it offers and also open a welfare centre for fishermen and their families in need of support.

Fundraising manager Julian Waring will also be based there, bringing all its services under one roof.

Read more: Meet who is moving in to Helston's former JobCentre building

It remains the charity's only fundraising shop in the UK, with 88p from every £1 raised going to its work in the community.

Shop manager Melinda King said it was "thanks to lots of special people" that the day had finally arrived for the shop to be unveiled to the public.

It will now be open Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Around these times staff will be sorting quarantined donations, which can only be accepted if they are in tied bags.

The new Fishermen's Mission charity shop is opened by charity fundraising manager Julian Waring, Helston mayor John Martin and shop manager Melinda King. Photo: Kathy White

Melinda said: "I need to say absolutely huge thanks to my amazing husband Jay.

"He has worked continuously, often seven days a week to build me beach huts, stages, display tables, put up slat walls, deal with my frustration.

"Also Jude and Julie who packed up the old shop and have put it together in the new, Pete Slinn and his lovely team at Bradford's - the reason I now have tennis elbow - from the paint they donated and also other materials, Liam Wilcocks from Jewsons who donated timber to create the raised window display, Sam from Travis Perkins for more wood for the construction of the toilets, James Birch from JB construction for working for no charge to make our toilets look nice for the fishermen, Leedstown Timber for the emergency wood, Tony at Plumb Crazy for the work top and Kevin Williams at Carpet Connection for the floor covering in the window.

"Also Julian, Glen and lads who moved us in the Mission trailer in two days, with only one breakage!

"A big thank you also to my lovely volunteers who put up with me on my wild idea!"

Melinda previously spoke of her delight at finally being all under one roof and able to open a welfare centre to support fishermen and their families, adding: "I'm so chuffed with it. It's just so lovely to have some space."

She added that, despite its size, the rent was actually cheaper on the new building than for the previous shop and it also meant they no longer need to keep a separate building for storing donated items.

The ground floor will now be the main shop, selling all the previous range of goods - just more of them. This includes clothes, books, household items and bric-a-brac, children's toys, paintings and electrical goods, as the shop has its own PAT tester.

On the second floor will be an area for ball gowns, suits and children's party dresses, as well as a whole room for fancy dress items, which will also become the charity's Christmas pop up shop each December.

The top floor will be used as the welfare centre, with regular visits from the area's Mission superintendent.