A CHARITY says it has been “blown away” by support from the Southend community after opening their second shop in the city.

Customers poured in as the St. Vincent’s charity celebrated the opening of their new shop in Belfairs.

The site was “soft launched” on Wednesday and is the charity’s second, after opening their first shop in Westcliff more than a year ago.

The shop will have an official opening later this month which could see Ron Woodley, Mayor of Southend, in attendance.

The shop, in Eastwood Road North, has occupied the site of an old Hallmark store and provides a variety of donated clothes and bric-a-brac at reasonable prices to help those in need.

The charity says it has been “blown away” with the support for its new site.

Daniel Cauchi, manager of the St. Vincent Centre, visited the shop on its opening and was “delighted” with the turnout.

He said: “The opening was amazing. People turned up before our doors were even open.

“There wasn’t a time during the day when the shop was empty, it was unreal.

“We have had so much support from the Belfairs Residents Association and locals that it made sense for us to open our second shop here.

“Our shop is now accepting donations and I hope we can continue to serve the local people who are struggling.

“This is also the only charity shop on the street so I think it is something that the community really needed.”

Manager of the site, Kimberley O’Connell, said it had been a successful opening.

“The staff and volunteers have worked hard to get the shop open and we are delighted,” she said.

“We have been very successful in Westcliff and now the residents of Belfairs have been very supportive.”

The charity’s shops aim to raise funds to support the St. Vincent’s Centre at Victoria Business Park in Short Street which helps close to 600 vulnerable people a week.

The centre supports people in the community with foodbank services, hot meals, in and outreach support, household items and clothing.