Hello
We now need your support.
Today, yet again, our charity shop was flooded. It’s not the first time — in fact, it’s becoming a pattern. In the 3.4 years we’ve been in this building, we’ve faced issue after issue, with very little support from those responsible for maintaining the property.
• Within 2 months, the lift to the basement broke down.
• Within 4 months, the air conditioning flooded the shop — we had to replace it ourselves at a cost of £21,000, because the landlords refused to step in.
• Within 6 months, the front security shutters failed. The landlords had lost the manual handle, so we had no choice but to cut the shutters away, leaving our shop windows at risk of being smashed — a cost we would have to bear.
• The automatic sliding doors key had been lost by the previous tenants, so they no longer lock properly. This has cost us hugely in heating bills through every winter.
• In August 2023, a hidden, faulty sewage pump failed, flooding our basement with over 3,000 litres of sewage. We lost a huge amount of donations, and mould spread more than 3ft up our walls. Despite paying a quarterly “service charge” and the landlords’ buildings insurance, we were told the claim was our fault and refused support.
• And now, another flood — caused by poor pipework and a broken stopcock we could not turn off. Rainwater from the car park drained straight into our shop, overflowing the toilet and filling the basement.
When we called the caretaker, his response was:
“It’s your shop, your problem.”
Yet this isn’t just our shop. Other businesses in the same row have suffered too:
• B&M has had repeated pipework leaks. The caretaker’s solution? Put bowls under the drips.
• The Microshops next door have had Anglian Water out due to severe drainage issues outside their premises.
Sports Direct left under a cloud as their Air conditioning unit also failed & they are battling with this same landlord over costs. A notice from the landlord is on the shop window suggesting if anyone from the previous tenancy tries to enter the premises they would be arrested.
This is a bigger issue than one charity shop or one landlord. Across the country, commercial landlords are charging high rents, quarterly service charges, and buildings insurance — but refusing to maintain their properties or take responsibility when things go wrong. Small businesses, charities, and local enterprises are left footing enormous bills for damage they didn’t cause.
The result? Charities who are already struggling lose vital funds, small businesses collapse under the strain, and communities lose services they rely on.
It’s time for this to change. Landlords cannot continue to profit while walking away from their legal and moral responsibilities. Stronger regulation, clearer accountability, and enforceable standards are urgently needed, so that community organisations and small businesses can focus on serving people, not fighting floods.
Our work supporting the Teenagers is much needed. The people you use our cafe as their “safe place “ pensioners, homeless, those struggling mentally all need Fresh Start support.
Fresh Start needs your support. We need funds to get the basement fit for purpose & for health & safety it needs alot of work to ensure our staff & volunteers are safe.
These extra expenses we’ve had to find is making it difficult for us to keep going.
if you can spare just a £1 we would really appreciate it.
from the staff & volunteers please come & visit us & hear from them how much the charity means to them.