Pictured: (l-r) Gill Preston, area manager SHA, Neil Williams, Oswestry furniture store manager, SHA, Councillor Keith Barrow, leader, Shropshire Council, Mandy Mulloy, joint chief operations officer, SHA, James Wood, chair, SHA and Julian Price, joint chief operations officer, SHA

The leader of Shropshire Council, Councillor Keith Barrow, officially opened the new Shropshire Housing Alliance (SHA) premises in Oswestry last week.

The building at Glovers Meadow, Mile End Industrial Estate, will provide a larger showroom for furniture sales, increased workshop space for the repair and restoration of furniture and more suitable offices where clients can receive the necessary guidance and support concerning housing issues.

In his address to the 100 guests who attended the opening event, Councillor Barrow, recalled the first furniture scheme in the area, which was set up in the mid-1980s and how the idea has progressed to where SHA is in its new offices today. He said: "I am sure that this new high profile location combined with such a dedicated team will prove to be successful and that SHA has a fantastic future."

SHA is a voluntary organisation and its core objectives are to assist homeless people in need of housing, to relieve poverty, protect the environment and improve the quality of life for individuals and families throughout Shropshire. James Wood chair of SHA and director of local affordable housing construction company Saxonby, said: "In a week when a number of household name companies entered into administration as a result of the economic climate, the opening of these premises may be seen is a bold move. However, I believe we have a great team of people in place who have the vision, determination and forward thinking approach to developing and growing this project. I anticipate continued success, not only in the sales showroom but equally as important, in providing crucial support services to the homeless and vulnerable people in our county."