21/7/2008Rag and Bone ladies hit big time with new shop
Ann Marie, left, and Moyra
TWO self- dubbed rag and bone women have opened a shop to sell on the second hand goods they collect.
Pals Moyra Lindsay and Ann Marie Graham began Gorbals Recycles Project with just a shopping trolley and a desire to save the planet.
Then they landed a £320,000 lottery windfall to buy a van, hire staff and help expand their business.
Now they’ve gone one step further and opened premises so people can buy the discarded items they collect.
The mums wanted to make use of the things that people throw away and aim to divert 500 tonnes of waste from landfill over the next three years.
Their shop Number Ten, in Commercial Court, had been empty for 10 years before the women took it over.
Now it will sell clothes, furniture, crockery and small electrical goods at low prices.
Ann Marie, 44, said: “The shop is wonderful. It’s cheaper than usual charity shops.
“There’s some really good quality clothes and we wash everything so it’s not smelly. Before we took it over, the building was an eyesore.”
Ann Marie and Moyra, 43, who describe themselves as modern-day rag and bone women, started the project in 2004 after an event that looked at ways of keeping money circulating in the area.
Locals told them they missed a salvage shop that once traded there and said they wanted somewhere to buy affordable clothing.
And the women still have the shopping trolley which they used to begin their dream.
Ann Marie added: “We were using it the other day. There are some places the van can’t go.”
Southside Central Councillor Danny Alderslow of the Scottish Green Party cut the ribbon to open the shop.
He said: “It’s a unique project. It will work to improve Glasgow’s recycling record and well as healthy living standards. I think it’s fantastic.”
Last year the project was given a £4500 grant from the Gannett Foundation, the parent company of the Evening Times.
Another arm of the scheme has seen 35 local children get some pedal power. Bike mechanic Martin McMillan is employed to refurbish donated bikes and pass them on for free.
If you have clothing, bikes, household goods or recycling contact Moyra on 0141 420 3573 extension 221.
Pals Moyra Lindsay and Ann Marie Graham began Gorbals Recycles Project with just a shopping trolley and a desire to save the planet.
Then they landed a £320,000 lottery windfall to buy a van, hire staff and help expand their business.
Now they’ve gone one step further and opened premises so people can buy the discarded items they collect.
The mums wanted to make use of the things that people throw away and aim to divert 500 tonnes of waste from landfill over the next three years.
Their shop Number Ten, in Commercial Court, had been empty for 10 years before the women took it over.
Now it will sell clothes, furniture, crockery and small electrical goods at low prices.
Ann Marie, 44, said: “The shop is wonderful. It’s cheaper than usual charity shops.
“There’s some really good quality clothes and we wash everything so it’s not smelly. Before we took it over, the building was an eyesore.”
Ann Marie and Moyra, 43, who describe themselves as modern-day rag and bone women, started the project in 2004 after an event that looked at ways of keeping money circulating in the area.
Locals told them they missed a salvage shop that once traded there and said they wanted somewhere to buy affordable clothing.
And the women still have the shopping trolley which they used to begin their dream.
Ann Marie added: “We were using it the other day. There are some places the van can’t go.”
Southside Central Councillor Danny Alderslow of the Scottish Green Party cut the ribbon to open the shop.
He said: “It’s a unique project. It will work to improve Glasgow’s recycling record and well as healthy living standards. I think it’s fantastic.”
Last year the project was given a £4500 grant from the Gannett Foundation, the parent company of the Evening Times.
Another arm of the scheme has seen 35 local children get some pedal power. Bike mechanic Martin McMillan is employed to refurbish donated bikes and pass them on for free.
If you have clothing, bikes, household goods or recycling contact Moyra on 0141 420 3573 extension 221.