County Antrim based charity opens new store at The Junction

Open for Business! Pictured at the opening of the new Hope 365 store is (L-R) Michael Holmes, Chief Executive of Hope 365, Councillor Jim Montgomery, Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey, and Chris Flynn, Centre Director at The Junction

A County Antrim based charity has unveiled a new store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park today. 

Hope365, which operates in three other locations across Antrim, offers much-needed support to street children in Shashemene, Ethiopia through rescue, rehabilitation, reunification, or family homing.

The new store will be located next to The Entertainer and comprise of an extensive range of competitively priced, high quality homeware, furniture and adult and children fashion. The expansion coincides with the charity’s plans to push forward its ‘Reuse Revolution’; encouraging people to take a more conscious approach to their shopping habits and choose to shop more sustainably.

Chief Executive, Michael Holmes said:

“We are delighted to be opening our new store at The Junction. The support we have received from local people in the surrounding Antrim area has been incredibly positive, so it made sense to choose the centre as a location to expand our brand further, and kickstart our Reuse Revolution.

“This expansion into Antrim comes alongside our new project, as we have taken over a school in Shashemene that offers food and education to the poorest families in the area. We are confident that, with our recent expansion and excellent product offering, we will be able to give the school children the education and support that they need to learn, grow and thrive.”

Image 2: Pictured at the opening of the new Hope 365 store is (L-R) Michael Holmes, Chief Executive of Hope 365, Councillor Jim Montgomery, Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey, and Chris Flynn, Centre Director at The Junction

Officially opening the new store at The Junction today, Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery, added:

“The support that Hope 365 has received from both the people of Antrim and the wider Newtownabbey area has proved invaluable, particularly in these current challenging times – and the opening of this store is a testament to how committed our community is to helping others who are more disadvantaged.

“I am pleased to see this locally-run charity continue to grow and educate people through their passion and enthusiasm for taking a more sustainable approach to fast-fashion and fast-furniture and have no doubt that The Junction team and shoppers will give them a warm welcome.

Hope365 at The Junction will be open between 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday and 1pm-5pm. The store is closed on Sundays.

Volunteering opportunities at Hope365 are now available. For further information, visit www.hope365.co.uk or connect with Hope365 on Facebook @Hope365.

Hope365 is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and registered International NGO in Ethiopia.

Hope365 operates three other stores in the wider Antrim & Newtownabbey area:

• Hope365 Charity Shop Ballyclare - The Square Ballyclare

• Hope365 Furniture and Homeware - Main Street Ballyclare

• Hope365 Furniture Warehouse - Dennison Industrial Estate, Ballyclare

Hope365 has expanded to online with the following:

• Online Furniture store - hopefurniture.org

• Online Clothing store - bit.ly/tesfaclothing