A charity’s flagship store which has been given a striking makeover and has lots of community plans will reopen on Saturday.

Age UK West Cumbria has changed the lay-out of its Cockermouth store and created a theme of upcycling and vintage. It will be selling new Fairtrade and eco-friendly goods and offering local people who make goods the opportunity to sell them in the shop. Local musician Nat Dempsey will be performing at the opening. It is hoped other gigs will be held in the Lowther Went venue in the future.

The charity’s deputy CEO Jane Mindar said: “We want to change the image of charity shops, encourage more people in and boost our income. We will have new sustainable goods and also upcycled ones. We also want to hear from local people who would like to sell their products in the shop.We’d like to support the community and become a hub.”

The shop opens at 9.30am, six days a week.

The charity has already opened its Cleator Moor and Egremont stores. The Workington and Millom stores will be opened in due course.

“We have been getting a huge number of donations. I would like to say a big thank you,” said Mrs Mindar.

“The shops provide a really important part of the income need to run services in West Cumbria. We hope to open our clubs and groups later in the year. Safety is paramount.”