A pioneering Cumbrian project which benefits the planet and the community, is to expand thanks to a helping hand from The Cumberland.
The award-winning Carlisle-based Rebuild Site found itself without a base for its planned expansion into Workington.
The not-for-profit initiative takes surplus materials from the building industry and makes them available at low prices to local people, community services such as schools, and community projects.
Rebuild’s new premises in Workington will not be ready until later this year, leaving the team searching for a temporary home so they can start work right away and meet funding requirements.
The Cumberland offered The Rebuild Site its former branch on Murray Road in Workington, which has been unused since the pandemic.
Head of direct distribution Liz Eastburn said: “One of our team noticed that The Rebuild Site was in a spot of difficulty as they needed a temporary home in Workington.
“Our Murray Road building closed its doors in March 2020 and our customers have used our nearby Pow Street branch ever since.
“So we are really delighted to be able to help them get under way in the town by letting them use Murray Road until their permanent base is ready.
“The Rebuild Site is such a positive project with values which very much match our own mission to promote caring for our communities and the environment.”
Emma Porter, who launched The Rebuild Site in Carlisle in 2021, said: “We can’t wait to open in West Cumbria and are so grateful for this support from the Cumberland.”
Since inception, Rebuild has saved more than 2,000 tonnes of materials going into landfill, supported over 150 community projects benefitting over 14,000 people, diverted 7,500 litres of paint from waste (saving a 18,900kg embedded carbon equivalent), and created 10 part time jobs.
Emma added: “The Cumberland really did step in and save the day. By helping us in this way we’re both, in turn, doing our bit for the communities we’re proud to be part of as well as saving so much waste from the construction industry that people can use for their own projects”.
The Rebuild Site stocks everything from roof materials to baths to surplus paint and recently opened a tool library where people can borrow tools..
The Cumberland’s Pow Street branch will continue to operate as usual. The Murray Road location will not reopen as a branch. There have been no Cumberland job losses.
