New Edinburgh furniture reuse outlet launched on back of CRNS house makeover

The reuse house makeover, involving Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association and five CRNS members, has inspired the launch of a new furniture reuse outlet in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh (read more about the reuse house makeover).

Four participants in the makeover – Castle Rock Edinvar, FreshStart, RePaint Scotland and Spruce Carpets – got together with the Midlothian Advice and Resource Centre (MARC) to establish a furniture reuse outlet in East Edinburgh that offers great quality affordable household goods and furniture.

Clare Halliday, neighbourhood co-ordinator at Castle Rock Edinvar, did the interior design for the reuse makeover project last year and has been the key driver behind MARC 2. She said: “We know that a lack of affordable furniture can be a problem for many of our tenants. This can lead them to make bad credit choices for their purchases, which often results in future repayment problems, or else they end up living in an unfurnished home with an increased chance that their tenancy will not last long”.

“Last year’s makeover project really opened our eyes to the quality of reused goods that are available at affordable prices. We wanted to bring reuse into the heart of Craigmillar for the benefit of our tenants and the public at large. We’re so pleased that all the partners in MARC2 have come together to make it happen.”

MARC has an existing furniture reuse store in Dalkeith, and a long history of providing employability opportunities and placements for local people. Its experience will all feed into MARC 2, its first venture into the Edinburgh area.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for MARC to continue on the success of the recycled house working in partnership with Castle Rock Edinvar,” says Charlene Smith, Project Co-ordinator at MARC. “We’re delighted to be working with Repaint, Fresh Start and Spruce Carpets, which enables this unique project to offer an affordable and environmentally friendly way to furnish your home the way you want.”

MARC 2 has got off the ground with initial support from the Scottish Government Wider Role Fund and Castle Rock Edinvar.

The store is open to the general public at 67 Peffer Place, Edinburgh (just opposite the Castlebrae Business Centre) and sells a wide range of reused and recycled furniture, paint, carpets and other household goods. All proceeds raised through the store will be reinvested back into the shop.