Sports shop launches to help low-income families
A community sports shop has opened in a town to help people on low incomes take part in activities.
Good Sports was officially launched on Friday at the former McColls convenience store on The Boulevard in Great Yarmouth's Market Gates Shopping Centre.
The idea is people donate unused or unwanted sports clothing or equipment which is then sold at low prices.
Profits from the shop will help fund events across the community.
Jack Jay, the chairman of Great Yarmouth Town Football Club, is co-founder of the project.
"The idea behind this is to try to make stuff that is really expensive; clothing, trainers, equipment, tops and all that stuff, as accessible as possible and try to get people active and involved
"Everything from this sports shop will be raising funds for us to do incredible things [like] events, get people more active, reach out into the community.
"If you have things that are within sports and leisure – it could be tops, trainers, boots, gloves, equipment, every from tennis racquets, golf clubs, golf balls, tennis balls, footballs, goal-keeper gloves; you name it, we are after it."
Shop manager Karen Wright said there was a distinct need, with many children signing up to the town's football club junior leagues unable to afford kit.
"People can come in and bring their unwanted items of sports clothing and footwear," she said.
"If someone needs items they can purchase them and on a case-by-case basis we will assess and will be able to provide clothing and footwear for them.
"With the cost of living crisis people just can't afford to buy the kit and items they need, so we are hoping to get people to be fit, active and be part of clubs."
Great Yarmouth Town Community Interest Company director Trevor Saunders joined the project having run a food bank, a Christmas stocking project and another venture where jobseekers were provided with a suit and interview skills.
He said: "By removing the cost barriers to entering sports and leisure, we hope to help people get physically and mentally active and improve their wellbeing.
"That's what this shop is all about; giving people the ability to get active."
Follow East of England news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
