A new furniture recycling and reuse hub has officially opened in Whitehaven, aiming to divert tonnes of waste from landfill while supporting families across Whitehaven with essential household items.
Revive, based in a purpose-built facility in the heart of Mirehouse, will collect, repair and upcycle donated furniture before redistributing it to households in need.
In its first year, the project aims to divert up to 20 tonnes of furniture from landfill, support more than 100 households with essential furniture packages, and provide training and skills opportunities for residents facing barriers to employment.
It is backed by £826,000 in capital investment from Well Whitehaven and Cumberland Council, alongside support from Sellafield supply chain partners.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “It is really exciting that Revive is now at this stage – and fantastic for the council to be a part of it.
“I know an enormous amount of work has gone on to make sure this project brings real value and social impact to Cumberland on many levels.
“What we do with our waste is such an important issue, and this addresses it directly, while offering great opportunities for upskilling and ways for people to access the things they need affordably.
“I look forward to seeing families, employers and job seekers make full use of these opportunities, and to seeing the impact that Revive has for communities.”
A launch event was held on Monday, which showcased Revive’s approach with a silent auction of upcycled furniture created during a collaborative workshop involving Sellafield senior leadership and young people from Aspire and the local Pupil Referral Unit.
The project has been supported by social impact property developers BEC, which is providing in-kind project, financial, and operational backing to help establish the initiative.
Michael Pemberton, chief executive of BEC, said: “Revive is exactly the kind of project that delivers real impact at a community level. It tackles waste, supports people into skills and employment, and ensures families can access the essentials they need.
“At BEC, we believe regeneration must be felt in every part of a town. Supporting Revive in Mirehouse is about making sure opportunity, sustainability, and practical help are reaching the communities that need them most.”
Operating as a Community Interest Company, Revive will reinvest any surplus back into training, community programmes and local services, ensuring long-term benefit for the area.
Jordan Mattinson, operations manager at Revive, added: “Revive is about practical action. We’re reducing waste, creating opportunities to learn new skills and making sure families can access the essentials they need.
“There is a huge amount of usable furniture going to landfill every year. By keeping it in the community, we can reduce environmental impact while helping people at the same time.”
Revive will now begin rolling out community workshops, volunteering opportunities and a structured furniture donation programme.
