A BLINDS and homeware shop in Abergele has opened its store up as a place to leave donations to the town’s foodbank in one of numerous charitable gestures its owners have made.

“Just Blinds” and “Pen Y Bont Interiors”, who occupy the same premises on Bridge Street and are run by husband-and-wife Paul and Tanya Jones, are encouraging customers and residents to drop off donations with them, before Paul or Tanya later deliver them to Abergele District Foodbank.

It follows the businesses making a donation of £1,202 to a football club, as well as fitting new blinds at the foodbank for free, and offering free advice for interior design.

Tanya also offers the fitting of free blinds to a pensioner once a month.

She said: “I’m a great believer in giving back and not just taking, and with the way of the world at the moment, I want to help where I can.

“When we opened, we raised £1,202 for the football club, which went towards them just being able to continue.

“The easy option would have been to just sponsor them and do nothing else, but I think the money has been great for them.

“We had a big open day (in July) when the mayor came and opened us up, and we did a big raffle. The whole community came together, everyone donated raffle prizes, and the club walked away with £1,202.

“We’ve been offering one OAP vertical blinds in their house free of charge once a month – we’re just trying to make them feel warmer.”

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As for foodbank donations, Tanya is keen to help, having not received any yet, and particularly encouraged items such as corned beef, small jars of coffee, rice, pasta, and even dogfood.

This, she said, will hopefully save people time and fuel by not having to drive to the foodbank itself in Pensarn to drop off donations.

She added: “We want to open our doors to people dropping off food to us, so they don’t all have to go down to Pensarn. We’ve got the storage area, and we’ll then drop donations off to the foodbank.

“We’ve not had any food in yet, which is disappointing because we need to get the food to the community, especially with the colder weather.

“We’re trying to help in different areas. This Friday and Saturday (November 11-12), we’re having an open evening between 7-10pm.

“There’s no pressure to buy, but it’s something where everyone can come, have a nice glass of wine and nibbles, and get to know us as a company and me and Paul as a couple.

“I’d like to be able to do more. People are struggling, and we’ve got a lot of OAPs who come in here and feel they have to buy something, and they don’t need to.

“My plan is, in the spring, to do afternoon teas. One particular elderly lady is here every Tuesday, without fail. If I can do something to help, I don’t mind if it takes me an hour of my day.

“Our door is open. Come to our open days or give food to us; we ensure all of the food will be noted down and driven in our van to the foodbank.”