Mayor of Ards, Councillor Mervyn Oswald helped to launch the rebranded small business marcit Furniture today at a celebration event at their premises in South Street.

Previously known as The Link Furniture Marc-it, marcit Furniture is a Social Enterprise, a “not for profit” business seeking to achieve social, financial and environmental goals within Newtownards.

“marcit Furniture provides good quality affordable furniture to local people and has  a friendly and efficient service of collections and deliveries” said Ray Garret, the marcit Furniture Manager. “We also provide volunteering and placement opportunities in the local community and have a great team of volunteers who support us both in the shop and on the lorry.”

The name came from the close relationship which the marcit has with The Link’s MARC Project which seeks to make a real change in the lives of those struggling with addiction to alcohol and, or drugs. Clients of the MARC Addictions Project, as well as others have the opportunity to build skills and confidence and develop positive friendships through placements and volunteering in marcit furniture.

marcit furniturealso encourages local people to reduce, reuse and recycle by working with the local council and providing an alternative to dumping and landfill.

The Director of The Link Diane Holt is delighted with the rebrand. “All profit from the marcit is utilised in supporting and developing the projects of The Link Family and Community Centre in Newtownards,” she said. “For example,  The MARC project currently works with approximately 40 clients in our drop-in, providing a hot meal, social and emotional support and access to further training and activities. Many people did not realise that there was a relationship between the shop and The Link and I think the logo has a similar feel to that of The Link and shows the Christian ethos of the organisation.”

Support from Invest Northern Ireland’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme enabled The Link to access support in developing their social enterprise to make it more successful. They have also received tremendous support from local printing company, Peninsula Print and Design, who printed all their new promotional material free of charge.

If you have some furniture you would like to donate, Ray would love to hear from you just call him on 075 9495 7471. Or call in and have a look round there are bargains to be had on a weekly basis!